Science ministry names POSTECH team winner of ICT Challenge 2026

The science ministry announced Wednesday that a team from Pohang University of Science and Technology has won the ICT Challenge 2026. The InteractX team took the grand prize for developing artificial intelligence-based wearable technology that analyzes and corrects unique finger movements to enable natural text input in virtual and augmented reality environments.

Now in its eighth year, the contest drew 206 teams comprising 618 master's and doctoral students from 39 universities and 84 research centers across South Korea. Participants presented creative ideas spanning artificial intelligence, software, autonomous driving, 6G communications, bio-health, cybersecurity, semiconductors and agricultural AI. After preliminary screenings narrowed the field to 32 finalists, the teams underwent three weeks of mentoring by employees from sponsoring companies KT and AWS Korea before 16 teams were ultimately selected as winners.

Five teams received the award from the deputy prime minister and minister of science and ICT, including InteractX alongside InhaEYE from Inha University, CVML from Ajou University, Seonjetonggam from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, and BiNeAI from Korea University Sejong Campus. These top finishers will attend the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas early next year.

Another five teams honored with the IITP president's award will visit the China Hi-Tech Fair scheduled for late this year. Six additional teams receiving special awards were granted cash prizes of 1.5 million won each.

Following the awards ceremony, officials held a dialogue session with young researchers. Nam Cheol-gi, the ministry's software policy officer, attended the meeting.

"The ICT Challenge is a field for innovative challenges where novel ideas from young researchers develop into research outcomes with market impact through expert mentoring," Nam said. He added that the government would continue to expand the foundation for young researchers to build their capabilities.