The Ministry of Finance and Economy held the “2026 SME Technology Market AI Forum” at the Sejong Convention Center. About 200 companies took part, including public institutions, firms certified by the technology market and AI suppliers.
Vice Minister Heo Jang said the SME Technology Market has been “a leading cooperation platform” linking capable smaller firms with the public procurement market. With AI now central to national competitiveness in an era of “AI transformation,” he said, the platform should expand into AI and “take the next step forward.”
The event also highlighted the launch of an expanded “Public Institutions AI Utilization Council,” bringing together participating agencies by five key fields, centered on previously selected AI-leading institutions. Organizers said the move underscored the public sector’s intent to lead in adopting AI while sharing and spreading innovation cases.
The AI companion forum was held in three parts. Outside the opening ceremony in the second part, the morning and afternoon sessions ran one-on-one matching between AI suppliers and public institutions and certified firms, totaling about 400 consultations to connect on-the-ground demand with needed technologies.
In an AI seminar that followed, invited experts delivered a trend briefing on AI’s past, present and future; introduced public-sector AI support programs; presented strong growth cases from small businesses that adopted AI; and staged a live showcase of physical AI being used by public institutions.
The ministry said the forum helped link public-sector AI demand with private-sector capabilities and would support wider public use of AI, accelerating AI transition among small and midsize companies.
Heo said the newly launched council should help build an AI ecosystem where the public and private sectors grow together. He also called for developing a “Technology Market AI dedicated section” into a practical venue that identifies strong AI technologies and leads to real-world application, adding that the ministry would provide policy and institutional support.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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