AI Transformation, or AX, is emerging as a key driver of corporate growth and competitiveness as companies across industries seek new ways to scale through artificial intelligence.
According to Chosun Biz, the 2026 SME AX Leaders Forum will be held on July 9, 2026, at The Westin Josun Seoul. The forum will bring together business leaders, policymakers, and AI experts to discuss how small and medium-sized enterprises can leverage AI to strengthen productivity, innovation, and global competitiveness.
Event Overview
| Category | Details |
| Event Name | SME AX Leaders Forum |
| Date | July 9, 2026, 09:00 |
| Venue | Orchid Room, The Westin Josun Seoul |
| Theme | Beyond Survival to Growth: AX Scale-up for SMEs and the Future of K-Business |
| Audience | SME and venture company CEOs and related industry professionals, approx. 150 participants |
| Host | ChosunBiz |
| Sponsors | Ministry of SMEs and Startups; Seoul Business Agency (SBA); Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise |
| Participation Fee | KRW 110,000 |
Program
| Time | Session | Speaker / Topic |
| 08:40–09:00 | Registration & Welcome | Registration and welcome |
| 09:00–09:20 | Opening Ceremony | Opening ceremony |
| 09:20–09:50 | Keynote 1 | “China, the World’s Factory, Accelerates Manufacturing Innovation through Robotics and AI” — Changhyun Kim, CEIBS Professor |
| 09:50–10:10 | Keynote 2 | “Expanding Practical Applications of AI Transformation” — Chang-kuk Myung, LG CNS SVP |
| 10:10–10:20 | Coffee Break | Coffee break |
| 10:20–10:40 | SME AX Success Case 1 | Defense and Aerospace SME — Deuk-hwa Kim, CEO of Funzin |
| 10:40–11:00 | SME AX Success Case 2 | Bio SME — Nam-Yong Lee, CEO of Cell Key AI |
| 11:00–11:20 | SME AX Success Case 3 | Beauty SME — TBD |
| 11:20–11:50 | Panel Discussion | Moderator: Winston Saehoon Kim, Head of BCC Global Korea & SEA / Panelists: Changhyun Kim, CEIBS Professor; Hyungjin Cho, AT Kearney Korea Partner & Head of Strategy Consulting; Chang-kuk Myung, LG CNS SVP; Deuk-hwa Kim, Funzin CEO |
| 11:50–12:10 | AX Leaders Awards | AX Leaders Awards |
| 12:10– | Closing & Lunch | Closing and lunch |
Program details may be subject to change depending on circumstances.
The keynote speech will be delivered by Professor Changhyun Kim of CEIBS(China Europe International Business School), who will examine how Chinese manufacturers are accelerating innovation through AI and robotics. His session is expected to offer insights into what Korean companies can learn from China’s rapidly evolving smart manufacturing ecosystem.
A panel discussion will follow from 11:20 AM to 11:50 AM, moderated by Winston Saehoon Kim, Head of BCC Global Korea & SE Asia. Panelists will include Changhyun Kim of CEIBS, Hyungjin Cho, Partner and Head of Strategy Consulting at A.T. Kearney Korea, Changkook Myung, SVP at LG CNS, and Deukhwa Kim, CEO of Funzin.
The forum will also feature AX success stories from key Korean industries, including K-Beauty, biotech, and defense, highlighting how AI is being applied across sectors to create new growth opportunities.
The event is expected to serve as a platform for industry leaders seeking practical strategies for AI-driven growth and innovation.