By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo

The Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM), under the National Research Council of Science & Technology (NST), will host the 2025 Global Forum on Mechanical Engineering on September 26 at the National Assembly Library Auditorium in Seoul.

The forum is co-organized with National Assembly members Seung-Rae Cho and Jung-A Hwang of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Hyung-Doo Choi and Chung-Kwon Park of the People Power Party. This year marks the 12th annual forum, under the theme “The Future of Humanoid AI and Robotics.”

The forum will examine the emerging roles of humanoid AI and robotics in industry and society, the technological challenges involved, and directions for global collaboration.

With the convergence of artificial intelligence and robotics accelerating worldwide, humanoid technologies are increasingly being developed to integrate sensing, cognition, dexterous motion, and autonomous learning. These technologies are expected to create significant value in manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and service sectors.

The keynote speech will be delivered by Professor Dennis Hong of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, under the title “AI for Robotics and Robotics for AI.”

In subsequent sessions, Professor Glen Berseth, Director of AI at the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) and faculty member at the Université de Montréal, will present on “A Path to Generalist Robotics Systems.”

Jin-Oh Kim, President of Korea Association of Robot Industry, will deliver a presentation entitled “Understanding the Role of Robots, Future Directions, and the Importance of the Robotics Industry.” Finally, KIMM President Seog-Hyeon Ryu will present KIMM’s development strategy for AI humanoid robots.

President Ryu of KIMM stated, “The convergence of AI, robotics, and mechanical technologies will serve as a transformative driver of industrial innovation. We expect the 2025 Global Forum on Mechanical Engineering to play a pivotal role in advancing the era of humanoid AI and strengthening Korea’s global leadership in mechanical technologies.”