South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT looked for ways for industry, academia and research institutions to cooperate in preparation for growth in the AI glasses market.

The ministry held the 'AI-Inglass Forum' on Sept. 15 at the Royal Hotel in Myeongdong, Seoul, with about 150 participants including officials from domestic AI glasses-related companies, universities and research institutions.

AI glasses are devices that use cameras and microphones built into eyeglasses to let AI understand a user's situation and communicate by sharing gaze and conversation. They are drawing attention as a next-generation form factor because users can use AI without taking out a smartphone.

The forum aimed to bring together domestic capabilities across industry, academia and research to prepare for growth in the AI glasses market and to explore ways to cooperate in building a related industrial ecosystem. About 70 companies, universities, research institutions and associations took part, covering AI glasses finished products and components, displays and services, including Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, Samsung Display, LIG, Penesia, Virnect, Retinal, Sapien Semiconductor, SK Telecom and KT.

The event included keynote speeches by Woon-taek Woo (우운택), a KAIST professor, Hyun-bae Kim (김현배), chief executive of Deepfine, and Myung-hee Lee (이명희), chief executive of Sapien Semiconductor, along with a presentation of ETRI's research and development strategy. Participants in a panel discussion on 'Building Korea's AI glasses ecosystem' agreed it was necessary to secure a range of leading examples and build an ecosystem linking hardware, software, content and services so domestic companies can lead market growth going forward.

The forum was held as part of a project, supported by the ministry and carried out by the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), called 'AI-Inglass technology development for personal AI agents'. The project will receive a total of 45 billion won from 2026 to 2030.

Nam Cheol-gi (남철기), director general for software policy at the ministry, said, "AI glasses are drawing attention as the most natural way to use AI, and the related market will continue to grow in the future." He added, "We will actively support domestic companies so they can play a bigger role by supporting the entire process, from related technology development to the demonstration of finished products and services."