Domestic "semiconductor top duo" Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix will present a future blueprint for the semiconductor industry driven by artificial intelligence (AI). Attendees can check everything from AI-driven semiconductor research and development (R&D) and manufacturing innovation to the evolution of memory in the AI era and power efficiency issues, all in one place.
At the 'Smart Energy Plus (SMART ENERGY PLUS·SEP) 2026' conference to be held on the 29th at Hall B of COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Han Jae-jun, Master (Executive Vice President) of Samsung Electronics' AX/PI Center, and Choi Jun-yong, Vice President of HBM (High Bandwidth Memory) Business Planning at SK Hynix, will take the stage as speakers.
Han will introduce strategies to enhance development speed and manufacturing efficiency by expanding AI application from design to production, under the theme "The Future of Semiconductors Created by AI." Samsung Electronics has previously disclosed cases where it automated repetitive design tasks using reinforcement learning and genetic algorithms, reducing design time by approximately 50%. On the manufacturing floor, large-scale data is analyzed in real-time to identify process abnormalities and defects, manage yield, and further develop digital twin technology.
Choi will focus on the fact that AI performance bottlenecks are shifting from computation to memory, and further to power, under the theme "Memory Defining the Future of AI." This diagnosis notes that as data center power consumption surges, power supply has emerged as a new factor constraining AI expansion beyond just cost. Along with high-capacity and high-speed HBM, he will present technological directions to overcome the "energy barrier" through improved bandwidth per watt, 3D integration, and customized HBM.
Additionally, the conference will also look into the robotics sector, which has recently gained attention alongside semiconductors. Kim Yeong-hun (Head), who leads the robotics business at Hyundai Motor's Robotics Lab, will examine the growth potential of the robot industry and the importance of energy efficiency under the theme "The Current State and Future of Physical AI Business." Based on real-world examples such as the mobile robot platform 'MobED,' he will introduce field applications and the direction of evolution for physical AI.
Yoon Il-yong, Head of the AI Robotics Convergence Research Institute at POSCO Holdings' Future Technology Research Institute, will share cases of steel plant equipment automation and humanoid robot application under the theme "POSCO Group's AI Vision and Energy." He is also expected to present strategies for process efficiency and group-level energy optimization through these initiatives.
Energy efficiency in data centers supporting the spread of AI is also a key topic. Lee Gwang-won, Head of the Applied Business Division at LG Electronics, will discuss changes in the cooling market and response measures under the theme "Global Data Center Trends and End-to-End LG Integrated Cooling Solutions." He will also explain an integrated 'chip-to-chiller' solution connecting chillers to coolant distribution units (CDUs) and cold plates to address increased heat generation due to high-performance GPUs (Graphics Processing Units).
The role of renewable energy in supporting surging power demand is also highlighted. Kim Hee-seong, Chairman of Bright Energy Partners (BEP), will present solutions for utilizing solar power and BESS (Battery Energy Storage Systems) and resolving power grid bottlenecks under the theme "Surging Power Demand in the AI Era and the Role of Renewable Energy."
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