Chey Tae-won, chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry and chairman of SK Group, emphasized that the driving force to lead national economic and corporations' growth is artificial intelligence (AI). He argued that it is not enough to simply adopt AI; the way we work must be newly designed to fit AI.
On the 15th at the Shilla Jeju Hotel, Chey delivered opening remarks at the 49th KORCHAM summer forum, held under the theme "Summer Flow, into the sea of growth," saying, "When corporations, the government, the National Assembly, and the people row together, we can head into the larger sea called growth," and added, "The big wave we must all get on now is AI."
He said, "AI was once only a fantasy in movies, but now it has become a colleague that polishes estimates and even writes emails to clients." He added, "This wave will be a new starting line for those who get on it first, but for those who step aside, it will become a wall hard to climb," and "AI is an opportunity we must not miss."
However, Chey noted that to gain strong growth momentum through AI, we should not stop at merely adopting it or at the level of asking questions. What is needed is a "re-architect" that redesigns the way we work itself to fit AI.
He also stressed the need to use AI more proactively. He said, "Today's AI is at the level of a 4-year-old child, so it needs to mature more to be helpful at work." He added, "We must not just wait. If we do not teach it how we work, even when AI becomes a youth it will not fulfill its role," and explained, "If we keep spoon-feeding instructions and data, keep using it, and work together, AI will grow faster."
He also emphasized the importance of economic growth. He said, "The reason we talk about growth is clear. Only with growth do opportunities open for young people, vitality returns to regions, and we can give hope to the next generation," and added, "Just as a ship that goes ahead opens the waterway for those that follow, I believe true growth is when the growth of one corporation spreads to its partners, new jobs, and even local shops."
Chey concluded his opening remarks by saying, "We now live in an era when AI gives answers. But the questions are still up to us," and, "Let each of us hold one good question close to our hearts and move together 'into the sea of growth.'"
Meanwhile, about 500 people attended this forum, which runs for four days and three nights through the 18th, including Chey, chairpersons of chambers nationwide, vice chairpersons of the Seoul Chamber, and large and small businesspeople across the country. Attending as speakers are Kim Jung-kwan, Minister of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources, Lee Jae-uk, head of the Seoul National University AI Institute, Jeong Kyung-sun, executive vice president of Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance, and singer Sean.