# Global AI and Digital Summit in Seoul > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/global-ai-and-digital-summit-in-seoul > Updated: 2026-10-19T07:48:22.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 2. The South Korean government and the World Bank co-hosted the Global AI and Digital Summit in Seoul, gathering approximately 900 participants from 160 countries. The summit focused on the role of artificial intelligence and digital technologies in economic development, specifically regarding productivity, job creation, and the reduction of the digital divide. South Korean Finance Minister Lee Hyoung-il pledged support for a global ‘AI basic society’ and announced efforts to establish an AI hub in South Korea in collaboration with six multilateral development banks. This hub is intended to house various AI cooperation centers to assist developing nations in their technological transitions. Discussions also highlighted ‘small AI’—tools designed for local languages and low-connectivity environments—alongside responsible AI governance. During the event, Minister Lee met with World Bank President Ajay Banga to discuss expanding cooperation in both AI and nuclear energy. The leaders explored utilizing South Korea’s technological expertise to provide stable energy supplies and sustainable development tools for developing regions, emphasizing that industrial progress must translate into inclusive economic growth and job opportunities for youth. Additionally, North Macedonia’s Minister of Digital Transformation, Stefan Andonovski, advocated for equitable access to AI tools in education and public services. He warned of a growing divide between wealthy and developing nations regarding computing power and proposed shared computing resources, highlighting ‘Vezilka’, a Macedonian gateway providing connection to European supercomputing resources to support local language models and data sovereignty. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-19: Minister Andonovski calls for equitable AI access at Seoul summit At the Global AI Summit in Seoul, North Macedonia’s Digital Transformation Minister called for equitable access to AI tools to prevent a widening gap between wealthy and developing nations. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/minister-andonovski-calls-for-equitable-ai-access-at-seoul-summit ### 2026-10-19: South Korea hosts World Bank Global AI and Digital Summit in Seoul South Korea and the World Bank co-hosted the Global AI and Digital Summit in Seoul, focusing on using AI to drive productivity and support the digital transformation of developing nations. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korea-and-world-bank-host-global-ai-and-digital-summit --- Cite as: Global AI and Digital Summit in Seoul. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/global-ai-and-digital-summit-in-seoul