As the convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics accelerates, a global forum exploring the future of next-generation humanoid technology will be held at the National Assembly.


The Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM) announced that it will hold the '2025 Global Machinery Technology Forum' at the National Assembly Library auditorium on September 26th.

Now in its 12th year, the forum, themed "The Future of Humanoid AI and Robots," will bring together world-renowned scholars and industry leaders to discuss technological challenges and global strategies in depth.

This event is sponsored by the National Research Council of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Science and ICT, and co-hosted by National Assembly members Cho Seung-rae and Hwang Jeong-ah (Democratic Party of Korea) and Choi Hyung-doo and Park Chung-kwon (People Power Party).

The forum will be held simultaneously offline and live online, and advance registration is available starting August 25th through the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials website (https://www.kimm.re.kr/forum).

The convergence of AI and robotics is moving beyond simple automation to create future companions that collaborate with humans in diverse fields, including manufacturing, logistics, care, and service. In particular, the development of next-generation humanoids that combine sensation, cognition, precision movement, and autonomous learning is emerging as a key factor in global technological competition.

This forum was designed to shed light on the role and development direction of humanoid technology in this context and to share domestic and international response strategies.

The keynote address will be given by Professor Dennis Hong of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at UCLA, titled "AI for Robotics and Robotics for AI." He will examine the philosophy and technical implications of robotic AI. Glenn Berseth, Director of AI at the Canadian Institute for Advanced Study (CIFAR) and Professor at the University of Montreal, will then present "The Journey to General-Purpose Robots," introducing the latest trends in autonomous learning-based robot control technology.

Among the domestic presenters, Kim Jin-oh, President of the Korea Robot Industry Association, will present on “The Role and Industrial Importance of Robots,” and Ryu Seok-hyun, President of the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials, will present on “AI Humanoid Robot Development Strategy.”

The forum will conclude with a panel discussion moderated by Professor Kim Jeong of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at KAIST, with participation from Professor Dennis Hong, Professor Glenn Berseth, Chairman Kim Jin-oh, and President Ryu Seok-hyun. This panel discussion will delve into the future prospects for humanoid AI and robots, key technological development directions, and global cooperation strategies.

“The convergence of AI, robots, and mechanical technology is a key driving force that will change the paradigm of future industries,” said Ryu Seok-hyun, president of the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials. “I hope that this forum will become a turning point that will bring forward the era of AI humanoids and strengthen the global leadership of Korea’s mechanical technology.”