Key Takeaways

• The second Smart Life Week (SLW 2025) will take place in Seoul from September 30 to October 2, with participation from 200 cities and 300 companies.
• This year’s focus is on inclusive technology, featuring the first-ever Seoul AI Robot Show and the Seoul Smart City Prize awarding outstanding smart policies.
• New initiatives include the SLW Citizen Innovation Award and the Youth AI Hackathon to engage citizens in testing and developing urban technology solutions.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) has announced the second Smart Life Week (SLW 2025) to be held from September 30 to October 2 at COEX in Samseong-dong. The event aims to showcase AI-powered city initiatives that prioritize inclusivity and support for vulnerable populations. This year’s theme is “AI for Humanity, Smart Cities Leading Tomorrow,” aligning with Seoul’s goals for practical and actionable technology applications.

SLW 2025 will significantly expand from last year, with projections of 200 cities and 60,000 participants compared to 109 cities and approximately 30,000 attendees in 2024. The exhibition area has grown to 12,572 m², 1.7 times larger than the previous year, enabling enhanced content displays, hands-on programs, and a rich variety of exhibitions including the SLW Showroom and the Seoul AI Robot Show.

The SLW Showroom will highlight how AI integrates into daily life through interactive experiences developed with major Korean companies. The Seoul AI Robot Show will feature competitions between humanoid robots and showcase robots designed for extreme conditions, providing insights into the future of robotics.

Main conference events will include discussions led by global experts on urban tech, AI ethics, and climate crisis responses. Confirmed speakers include representatives from IBM, Palantir, and MIT, addressing pressing issues related to urban development and technological responsibility.

Moreover, the SLW will present the Seoul Smart City Prize, recognizing 21 awards for innovative smart policies aimed at enhancing social inclusion and sustainability. This year’s awards will feature entries from around the world, with a total of 220 submissions from various cities and organizations.

In addition, the event serves as an interactive platform for citizens to engage with technology and innovation. New initiatives like the SLW Citizen Innovation Award will allow participants to evaluate innovative products from exhibitors, while the Youth AI Hackathon encourages young talent to devise solutions to real urban challenges using smart city technologies.

SLW aims to transform into an ongoing platform for technological development, ensuring that solutions remain accessible to those in need. Through effective collaboration with cities globally, Seoul aspires to create meaningful policies and a shared vision for the future of urban living.

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