{
  "id": 1622892,
  "title": "Busan Opens IFAC World Congress at BEXCO",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/busan-opens-ifac-world-congress-at-bexco",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-18T03:40:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BusinessKorea",
    "slug": "businesskorea",
    "url": "https://www.businesskorea.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=274956"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Busan is set to host the 23rd International Federation of Automatic Control (IFAC) World Congress from August 23rd to the 28th at BEXCO. This is the largest academic conference of its kind, taking place every three years since its inception in 1957. Over 4,400 experts from 75 countries will gather, with around 3,600 of them being overseas researchers and industry representatives. The event will span nine themes and 39 technical tracks, with discussions centered on the future of automatic control and robot technology.\n\nIn addition to the academic sessions, the congress will feature technical competitions for students worldwide. These include events like the Roboracer Grand Prix, Mini Drone challenge, and Wearable Robot Challenge. To engage with the youth, the 'AI Robot Arm Experience Workshop' will be held for 30 middle school students on August 22nd, while around 60 elementary and middle school students will participate in the 'IFAC Young Robot Explorers' program on August 26th.\n\nA special lecture for the general public will be held at BEXCO's auditorium on August 24th at 7:30 p.m. The esteemed speaker, Ken Goldberg, a distinguished roboticist and professor at UC Berkeley, will discuss 'Physical Artificial Intelligence: AI and Robots of Our Future'. The lecture, conducted in English with real-time Korean subtitles, is free and open to the public.\n\nThe opening ceremony on August 23rd will be marked by performances by the Busan Metropolitan Dance Company, featuring traditional Ogomu and Pungmulnori dances. A drone light show will follow as part of the welcome reception, held at the Busan Cinema Center. The closing ceremony on August 28th will present the Netherlands as the next host country, with an orchestra performance and an award ceremony to conclude the event. Park Dong-seok, Director General of the Advanced Industry Bureau of Busan City, emphasized the importance of citizen participation in the special lecture, encouraging attendees to engage with the future of technology during the congress.",
  "summary": "Around 4,400 experts from 75 countries gather in Busan to envision the future of automatic control and robot technology.Busan City will host the ‘23rd International Federation of Automatic Control (IFAC) World Congress’ for six days from August 23 to August 28 at BEXCO. Hosted by the International F",
  "key_points": [
    "23rd IFAC World Congress opens at BEXCO in Busan from Aug 23-28",
    "Over 4,400 experts from 75 countries attend academic conference",
    "Public lecture on AI and robots by Ken Goldberg on Aug 24"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Hosting the IFAC World Congress cements Busan's role as a hub for technological innovation and exchange, bringing together global experts and providing opportunities for youth engagement and public education.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}