- Marine experts from Korea and abroad to gather in Songdo to examine the transformative impact of AI on the maritime industry -

Incheon Metropolitan City will provide a platform for domestic and international maritime experts to share insights on the disruptive innovations and future vision that artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to bring to the maritime industry.

The city government announced that it will co-host the 7th Incheon International Ocean Forum (IIOF 2026) with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries at Songdo Convensia from Wednesday, July 15 to Thursday, July 16. Prior to the event, advance registration will be available through the forum’s official website through July 10.

Now in its seventh year, the forum will be held under the slogan, “The World Calls, The Ocean Waves,” with the main theme, “The Future of the Ocean in the Era of AI.”

The forum will examine the sweeping transformation that rapid advances in AI technology are expected to bring to the maritime industry, including shipping, logistics, and smart ports, while exploring strategies for future competitiveness and survival.

This year’s keynote program features a distinguished lineup of speakers offering both broad societal perspectives and practical approaches to innovation. Professor Choi Jae-boong of Sungkyunkwan University, a leading authority on the AI-driven civilizational transition and the author of Phono Sapiens, will deliver a keynote presentation on “Challenges Facing Maritime Cities in the Era of AI.” He will be followed by Joo Si-hyun, Vice President of Hyundai Motor and Kia, who will present “Robotics Technology for Industry and Everyday Life,” focusing on AI-based innovations in port logistics and practical applications for maritime mobility.

The forum’s main program consists of five sessions covering shipping and logistics, smart ports, marine tourism, marine environment and energy, and AI-powered maritime cities. It will also include a special session on Incheon’s AI industry, providing a venue for in-depth discussions among experts from Korea and abroad.

Individuals wishing to participate may register through the official forum website and choose either on-site attendance or online participation via YouTube livestream. On-site participants will receive commemorative gifts, while advance registrants will be provided with complimentary lunch vouchers. Participants will also have opportunities to join networking events and experience various side programs, including exhibitions and demonstrations of physical AI technologies. Additional information about the forum is available through the Incheon Metropolitan City website and its social media channels.