The global industry is undergoing a transformation centered around artificial intelligence. The United States is focusing massive investments on securing semiconductor and AI sovereignty, while China is attempting innovations in the fields of electric vehicles and urban air mobility (UAM). The European Union is simultaneously pursuing digital transformation and carbon neutrality.

The South Korean government has also embarked on an AI transformation led by regional areas. A representative example is the inclusion of the regional AI Transformation (AX) innovation technology development project as an exemption from the preliminary feasibility study. A new growth model combining regional specialized industries with AI, moving away from the capital-centric approach, is expected to materialize.

Daegu Metropolitan City, which has been preparing for the AX transformation of regional industries such as AI mobility and sovereign AI (state-led AI), will present a blueprint for becoming a global future industry hub at the '2025 Future Innovation Technology Expo (FIX 2025)'.

FIX 2025 will be held from October 22 to October 25, 2025, at Daegu EXCO. The exhibition, themed 'The Future Already Begun, All on AI', is organized to promote the future transformation of Daegu's regional industries.



In his opening speech, Acting Mayor of Daegu Kim Jeong-gi stated, "Sixty percent of Daegu's main industries consist of machinery, metals, or automotive parts. These traditional industries were key means of industrialization in the past, but now they face limitations unless they transition to AI-based advanced industries. Daegu Metropolitan City is striving to transform traditional industries into future automotive, robotics, and advanced medical industries. FIX 2025 will serve as a platform to share the vision of the industrial restructuring pursued by Daegu and to pledge new challenges."

In his welcoming address, Vice Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kang Hee-up said, "To accelerate the era of autonomous driving, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport plans to conduct pilot city demonstration projects starting in 2026. UAM demonstration projects are also underway in various municipalities. To stimulate the market, we plan to ease regulations and provide budget support through the Mobility Innovation Act and the Autonomous Vehicle Act. We expect the advanced technologies exhibited at FIX 2025 to help create an era of moving intelligent infrastructure, moving beyond traditional society."

Lee Seung-ryul, Director General of Industrial Policy at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, stated, "The world is currently engaged in fierce technological hegemony competition. Various barriers, including technology and tariffs, have increased. I believe that technological innovation is the way to survive in this challenging environment. Currently, Daegu is evolving as a testbed for AI and mobility innovation. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy will further strengthen cooperation to ensure AI spreads across all industries."

All industries integrated with AI were covered

FIX 2025, which is being held for the second time, integrates various information and communication technology exhibitions (▲Korea Future Mobility Expo ▲Korea ICT Convergence Expo ▲Daegu International Robot Industry Exhibition ▲Startup Arena ▲Plug and Play Korea Expo) and has grown in scale compared to previous events. The number of participating companies increased from 544 in 2024 to 585 in 2025, with 117 overseas companies participating. Daegu City plans to showcase the present and future of five major future industries (UAM, semiconductors, robots, healthcare, ABB) through the event.



The exhibition hall is divided into five main zones, each covering mobility, robotics, ABB (AI, Big Data, Blockchain), and startups. The newly introduced Plug and Play Korea Expo at FIX 2025 consists of sessions focused on lectures, consultations, and industry exchanges. On a separate stage, AI industry figures from companies like FiscalNote, EO Studio, and Microsoft will give lectures.

In the Mobility Hall, automotive companies such as Hyundai, BYD, Porsche, Volkswagen, and General Motors (GM) participated to showcase eco-friendly vehicles. Xpeng Aero's UAM aircraft X2 was unveiled in Korea for the first time, attracting visitors. HL Robotics' indoor autonomous parking robot Parky was also exhibited, garnering attention.



Next-generation transportation payment models were also exhibited. T-money unveiled its tagless payment system, which allows for automatic fare payment without a transportation card, utilizing the Bluetooth wireless communication function of smart devices. T-money plans to expand the application range after a pilot project in 2025, starting in 2026.



Scenes of robots boxing or kicking soccer balls vividly demonstrate the current level of humanoid technology. The Korea Institute for Robot Industry Advancement exhibited humanoids in various environments such as urban, commercial, and domestic settings in a scaled-down version of the national robot test field. Coupang shared the future logistics environment combining AI and robotics.

The information and communication technology (ICT) sector is covered in the 'National AI Company Hall'. Domestic AI companies such as Riiid, Upstage, KT, and Megazone Cloud gathered in one place. The National AI Company Hall showcased various technologies, including advertising video production, education, and pet care. KT demonstrated AI model trust, natural language understanding capabilities, and AI consultations.

From AI technology trends to global startup expansion all in one place

The organizers of FIX 2025 invited buyers from 53 companies worldwide to introduce Korean companies through export consultation meetings and purchase consultation meetings involving large corporations and investment affiliates. To assist the global expansion of startup companies, they collaborated with the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA). The number of buyers increased from 29 companies in 2024 to 53 companies, enhancing the potential for promising startups and SMEs in the Daegu region to enter the global market.



A large enterprise purchase consultation meeting, sponsored by the Win-Win Growth Committee, will also be held. Domestic companies such as HD Hyundai, Hanwha, SK Hynix, and LG Energy Solution will participate to seek direct business opportunities with SMEs and startups possessing promising technologies. Representatives from global automotive companies will visit Daegu to engage in technology cooperation and procurement consultations with Korean companies.

The global conference, featuring 87 experts from 16 countries, is a core program of FIX 2025. Keynote speakers include Wang Tan, co-founder of Xpeng Aero, Lee Se-young, CEO of Riiid, and Professor Han Jae-kwon of Hanyang University, co-founder of Arobot. Former Go player Lee Sedol and Tim Hwang, founder of FiscalNote, will also speak, sharing their thoughts on AI technology.

Daegu Metropolitan City plans to concretize its industrial innovation vision based on the outcomes of FIX 2025. Acting Mayor of Daegu Kim Jeong-gi stated, "FIX 2025 is a platform to share the industrial innovation vision based on the fruits of the industrial restructuring pursued by Daegu Metropolitan City. We will join forces with industry, academia, and research to ensure the success of the regional industry AX transformation centered on future mobility and robotics."

IT Donga Reporter Kang Hyung-seok (redbk@itdonga.com)

Popular News