SEOUL — The Korea Science Reporters Association (KSJA) announced on July 24 that it will host the "2026 Science Journalism Conference" on July 28 at the Korea Science and Technology Center in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Celebrating its ninth anniversary, this flagship public science communication forum brings together media professionals, academic scholars, and industry leaders to address critical technological shifts and pressing bio-health issues. 

This year’s conference centers on two key themes: "The AI Transformation, Technological Hegemony, and the Future of Society" and "Obesity Treatments: Bio-Innovation and the Role of Journalism." Reflecting unprecedented interest from both the scientific community and the general public, the organizers received 758 topic ideas from nearly 700 participants—a significant increase from previous years—alongside more than 500 advance questions submitted for session panellists. 

In the first session focusing on artificial intelligence, Choi Rino, a professor of materials science and engineering at Inha University, will deliver a keynote on the evolution of semiconductor architectures tailored for advanced AI workloads. Yoo Yong-kyun, director of the National Science AI Research Center under the National Research Council of Science & Technology (NST), will address how autonomous AI agents are reshaping scientific research methodologies and redefining the role of human scientists. Panel discussions featuring experts like Yoon Ji-woong, president of the Science and Technology Policy Institute (STEPI), and Baek Joon-ho, CEO of AI chipmaker FuriosaAI, will delve deeper into national strategies for technological sovereignty. 

The second session turns attention to GLP-1-based anti-obesity therapeutics, a sector undergoing rapid commercial growth and medical innovation. Choi In-young, head of future growth at Hanmi Pharmaceutical, will present on next-generation obesity drug pipelines, patient-tailored therapeutic targets, and competitive market dynamics. Subsequently, Oh Sang-woo, professor of family medicine and director of the Center for Obesity, Metabolism, and Nutrition at Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital, will evaluate public health implications, off-label risks, and the imperative for responsible medical journalism in reporting bio-innovations. 

"As the South Korean government accelerates its major national research projects, the pace of AI integration across industries is intensifying," noted Lee Eun-jung, president of the KSJA. "Simultaneously, while breakthroughs in weight-loss medications carry enormous economic potential, concerns surrounding off-label misuse and public health risks are mounting. This conference provides a timely platform for experts and journalists to collaboratively formulate actionable policy insights and public communication standards."

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