How China, Korea and Vietnam shape the future of AI

AI in Asia: Perspectives on innovation in practice
19.05.2026

Artificial intelligence innovation does not emerge in isolation – it is shaped by the structure of national and regional ecosystems, including the interaction of government, industry, research, and markets.

This event examines how AI innovation is actively driven and scaled in Korea, China, and Vietnam, focusing on how these ecosystems function in practice. The discussion goes beyond theory to explore the mechanisms, institutions, and policy approaches that enable AI development and deployment in each context.

Rather than comparing technologies, the event focuses on how innovation is organized and pushed forward – from strategic state coordination and industrial policy to startup ecosystems and global value chain integration.

Korea represents a tightly coordinated innovation system with strong alignment between government and industry. China illustrates large-scale, strategically driven ecosystem development with rapid implementation capacity. Vietnam highlights a fast-growing emerging ecosystem increasingly connected to global innovation networks and production systems.

A Baden-Württemberg business perspective complements these insights with practical experience from engaging with Asian innovation ecosystems.

The event brings together business, research, and economic development stakeholders to discuss concrete lessons for cooperation, market access, and strengthening regional competitiveness.

Information on agenda and speakers will follow shortly.

Target Group

Industrial companies (especially SMEs and mid tier)
Innovation and R&D managers
Universities and applied research institutions
Economic development agencies and policymakers
Cluster organizations and international cooperation stakeholders
Asia-Pacific cooperation partners

The Asia-Pacific Dialogue Series

With the publication of the Asia-Pacific Guidelines, the state government of Baden-Württemberg is sending a clear signal for strategic, future-oriented cooperation with one of the most dynamic regions in the world.

For further information, see here (German only).

Building on this, an ongoing Asia-Pacific dialogue series is being established as an interdisciplinary and best-practice-oriented event forum to strengthen exchange between business, science, politics and society.

The series of events is being organised and carried out by Baden-Württemberg International on behalf of the State Ministry of Baden-Württemberg. Content support is provided by the Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts and the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism of Baden-Württemberg.