KHF 2026 to spotlight AI, digital pathology and hospital innovation

K-Hospital Healthtech Fair (KHF) 2026 will feature 32 seminars and conferences on hospital AI transformation, digital pathology, cybersecurity, clinical AI, robotics and hospital management alongside the exhibition next month.

Hosted by the Korean Hospital Association (KHA) and organized by Messe Esang, the Future Healthcare Industry Council, and the National IT Industry Promotion Agency (NIPA), KHF 2026 will take place from Aug. 19 to 21 at COEX Halls C and D in Seoul.

The exhibition will feature around 300 companies across 500 booths, serving as a platform for industry and academic exchange by showcasing the latest healthcare technologies and sharing expertise across the hospital sector.

A key highlight this year will be the simultaneous hosting of 32 specialized seminars and conferences spanning the entire healthcare industry. Organized as theme-based academic programs, the sessions are designed to meet the interests of hospital executives, clinicians, IT and cybersecurity professionals, nurses, and hospital facility and architectural managers.

Healthcare professionals attend a seminar at the 2025 KHF event. (Courtesy of KHF 2026 Exhibition Secretariat)

How AI is reshaping hospitals

As hospital AI transformation becomes a central driver of operational efficiency and clinical innovation, this year’s program will explore both the strategic direction of digital transformation and practical implementation in healthcare settings.

On Aug. 19, the Medical Innovation Conference will bring together leading hospitals and healthcare companies to present innovations and future strategies in cancer treatment technologies, smart hospital AI transformation, healthcare AI agents, and medical data governance.

On the same day, the Korea Human Resource Development Institute for Health and Welfare will host a session titled “Implementation Strategies for Hospital AI Transformation,” covering Korea’s national AI strategy, hospital AI adoption, proof-of-concept and pilot projects, and policy, technology, and operational strategies for successful implementation.

On Aug. 20, the Korean Hospital Association’s Digital Information Innovation Committee will organize the K-Digital Healthcare Summit, focusing on “AI-NAIVE” and physical AI and robotics. Global speakers will discuss digital transformation strategies and the future direction of medical AI.

The organizers expect hospital executives, clinicians, and digital innovation leaders to gain practical insights into AI adoption strategies, real-world implementation, and the future evolution of healthcare services.

Digital pathology takes center stage

Digital pathology will make its KHF debut with a comprehensive three-day program covering policy, implementation strategies, clinical applications, and commercialization.

The Digital Pathology Association will host the Digital Pathology AX Conference 26 – Digital Pathology and AI: A New Turning Point in Healthcare on Aug. 19-20. The first day will focus on policy and healthcare innovation strategies, while the second day will cover hospital implementation, commercialization, and AI-powered pathology workflows.

On Aug. 21, the Korean Society of Pathologists will present Digital Innovation in Pathology: Practice, Clinical Applications, AI, and the Future, featuring digital pathology system deployment, AI guidelines, clinical applications of AI-assisted pathology, and inter-hospital collaboration.

As the digital pathology program debuts at KHF for the first time, it is expected to provide valuable information for healthcare institutions and diagnostic companies considering or already implementing digital pathology systems.

Cybersecurity and data governance in the cloud era

With AI-driven digital transformation accelerating, cybersecurity and data governance will also receive significant attention.

On Aug. 19, DK Medical Solutions will host “The Third Story of Digital Innovation in Healthcare Institutions,” highlighting innovation initiatives, productivity improvements, and cost-efficiency case studies from public healthcare organizations.

The Digital Health Security Association will hold the 17th Digital Health Information Security Conference 2026 on Aug. 20, covering cybersecurity risks facing healthcare institutions and medical devices, information security frameworks, and security challenges in AI-enabled healthcare environments.

Meanwhile, the Korean Information Technology in Hospital Association will hold its 2026 Fall Academic Seminar on Aug. 20-21, discussing healthcare data utilization in an era of eased network separation regulations, as well as the convergence of hybrid cloud transformation and AI agent workflows.

The Digital Health Security Association will continue the discussion on Aug. 21 with a governance seminar focusing on healthcare data management systems and principles for the responsible use of AI.

These sessions are expected to offer practical guidance for professionals responsible for hospital information systems, data management, and cybersecurity as healthcare organizations advance their AI transformation efforts.

Practical programs for frontline professionals

The event will also feature department-specific seminars aimed at improving hospital operations and service quality.

On Aug. 19, the Hospital Nurses Association will host “Sharing Smart Nursing Practices in the Digital Healthcare Era,” discussing nursing AI, workflow changes in smart hospitals, and real-world applications of digital technologies.

On Aug. 21, the Korean Dietetic Association will present outstanding quality improvement initiatives in hospital nutrition services through its “2026 Hospital Nutrition Department Quality Improvement Case Presentation.” A separate workshop for hospital nutrition managers will address key evaluation criteria and implementation strategies for the fifth-cycle accreditation of acute care hospitals.

Designing the hospitals of the future

Programs focusing on hospital architecture, facility management, and infrastructure safety will examine how to build more efficient and resilient healthcare environments.

The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture will hold the “2026 Hospital Architecture Forum—Hospital Architecture Technologies and Challenges” on Aug. 20 and 21 to discuss future development directions for hospital spaces, including infectious disease response wards, healing environments, and smart operating rooms.

On Aug. 21, the Hospital Facilities Management Association will host the “2026 2nd Hospital Facility Integrated Management (FM) Technology Seminar” to share field-oriented case studies on hospital space management, seismic resistance, and facility safety.

Free admission with pre-registration, with application deadline due on Aug. 18

In addition, various programs covering the entire hospital and medical industry — including clinical AI, robotics, and medical innovation; medical device regulations and certification; overseas clinical trials; healthcare information management; rehabilitation robots; biomedical engineering; and export support for medical institutions — will be held simultaneously in seminar rooms both inside and outside the COEX exhibition hall.

Organizers expect KHF 2026 to be an unparalleled opportunity to see the latest medical devices and systems firsthand, network with experts in various fields, and gain practical insights — all in one place.

Admission to the exhibition is free for visitors who complete advance registration through the official KHF 2026 website by Aug. 18. Some seminars require separate registration or charge participation fees. Attendees are advised to check the official schedule in advance. Additional information is available from the KHA’s Academic Affairs Division or the KHF 2026 Exhibition Secretariat (Messe Esang).