Samsung Display, LG Display to showcase next-generation technology at IMID 2026

Visitors browse the Samsung Display booth at IMID 2025, the 25th International Meeting on Information Display, held at BEXCO in Busan last August. [Samsung Display]

Samsung Display and LG Display will present their visions for display technology in the AI era at IMID (International Meeting on Information Display) 2026, Korea's largest display industry conference.

Both companies are focusing on next-generation form factor research as displays find their way into a growing range of applications. They plan to present work on free form factor technology — displays that can switch freely between shapes — as well as stretchable displays. AI-driven improvements to manufacturing are another area both companies are actively pursuing.

According to industry sources Thursday, Jo Seong-chan, executive vice president and head of Samsung Display's research institute, will deliver the keynote address on the opening day of IMID 2026, which runs Tuesday through Friday at BEXCO in Busan. Jo has led advanced technology research at the display research institute for many years.

Jo will speak on the theme "The Next Leap of AI: Why Displays Matter More Than Ever." In the AI era, displays are expanding beyond smartphones into automobiles, wearables, XR (extended reality) and physical AI applications.

Samsung Display sees displays emerging as the key interface connecting AI with the physical world, with a strategy centered on delivering immersive, interactive experiences through high-performance self-luminous technology.

Jo will also address AI-driven manufacturing innovation. The company is using AI in materials design and OLED structure development to shorten development cycles, while deploying digital twins on the production floor to improve yield.

Visitors tour the LG Display booth at IMID, Korea's largest display conference, held at BEXCO in Busan last August. [LG Display]

Sessions throughout the conference will cover similar themes, with both Samsung Display and LG Display centering their presentations on advancing display technology in step with the spread of AI.

Samsung Display will present on the evolution of free form factor displays in the next-generation AI era. Last year the company unveiled MONTFLEX, a foldable technology brand optimized for AI devices of various form factors, alongside a new flexible display platform.

Samsung Display has also pushed the performance of OLEDoS (OLED on Silicon) for smart glasses ahead of the XR era. By improving the polarizer structure to maximize light extraction efficiency, the company has achieved higher brightness — a critical requirement for smart glasses, which are frequently used outdoors under strong sunlight.

LG Display will present advances in cover window technology for stretchable displays — screens that can physically expand. The company says it has achieved anti-reflection and smooth touch performance while maintaining flexibility.

Using AI to shorten product development timelines and improve yield and reliability is a shared priority for both companies.

LG Display is applying AI to model the physical degradation of organic OLED materials that shortens panel lifespan. AI also plays a role in cutting development time during the product design phase, with AI simulation used to predict display reliability.

Samsung Display will present research on analyzing vacuum pump systems — critical equipment in OLED manufacturing — using historical time-series data to detect rare but potentially catastrophic failures before they occur, improving production stability.

Carbon neutrality, a requirement increasingly pressed by major global customers, will also feature at the conference. LG Display plans to share specific research results showing how it has reduced the carbon footprint of its display manufacturing processes through sustainable, eco-friendly technology.

jeongwan@heraldcorp.com