Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the global digital landscape, raising a pressing question: Will AI deepen existing divides, or can it unlock new pathways to shared prosperity? This central dilemma framed the discussions at the first APEC Digital & AI Forum, co-hosted by Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) and the World Bank in Incheon. The event convened leaders and experts to chart a collective vision for the future of AI in the Asia-Pacific region.
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)—the world’s largest regional economic forum, representing 21 economies—has long served as a platform for advancing cooperation. Within this framework, the Digital & AI track offered governments, private sector leaders, and development institutions a unique opportunity to exchange knowledge and foster international cooperation toward an inclusive and innovative digital future. Forum discussions centered on three core priorities: strengthening connectivity, promoting inclusion, and accelerating innovation.
Korea’s Minister of Science and ICT, Bae Kyung-hoon, opened the forum by calling for collective action to guide AI’s development responsibly. World Bank Vice President for Digital, Sangbu Kim, echoed this vision, stressing that “the future of AI is not yet written. Whether it becomes a force for inclusion or a driver of fragmentation depends on the choices we make today.” He reaffirmed the World Bank’s commitment to partnering with APEC economies to close the AI divide and build a digital future that is inclusive, trusted, and resilient.
Forum sessions brought these priorities into sharp focus. Experts from both public and private sectors explored how AI and digital technologies can enhance connectivity and resilience, how digital public services can reduce inequality and deliver benefits more broadly, and how innovation can be directed toward solving global challenges.
Alongside the discussions, an industry exhibition showcased cutting-edge AI and digital technologies from leading companies. Korean tech leaders, including Naver, SK Telecom, Kakao, and Furiosa AI, showcased their AI solutions and digital transformation technologies, while global companies such as Meta, Google, and Visa also introduced their smart wearable devices, AI assistants, and AI-based payment platforms. The exhibition highlighted real-world applications of AI, demonstrating the breadth of innovation shaping the digital ecosystem.