Korean Researchers Chart Future AI Talent, Innovation

Iloili- South Korean researchers share strategies for building a globally competitive AI workforce and strengthening future innovation during the second day of the 2026 AI Fest in Iloilo City, emphasizing industry-academe collaboration and AI-driven technology forecasting.

Professor Yung-Cheol Byun of Jeju National University emphasized that universities must redefine talent development for the era of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) by producing graduates who can frame problems, evaluate AI-generated outputs, and apply domain expertise to real-world challenges.

“The role of experts should change, from producing answers to judging answers produced by AI,” Prof. Byun said. He added, “People who use AI well replace the people who do not,” stressing that success in the AI era depends on how effectively people harness AI. He also showcased South Korea’s industry-academe collaboration model, where business challenges are transformed into research projects that prepare students for the workforce while accelerating innovation.

In a related presentation, Dr. Eunju Cha of Ajou University highlighted AI’s role in forecasting future technologies by integrating data-driven analysis with qualitative insights to guide strategic planning for quantum computing and autonomous mobility.

“The future belongs not to those who predict it, but to those who prepare for it,” Dr. Cha said, emphasizing that AI can identify emerging technology trends to support evidence-based policymaking, investment, and innovation.

The plenary session reinforced the importance of developing future-ready talent, strengthening partnerships between academia and industry, and leveraging AI as a strategic tool for innovation, policy development, and sustainable economic growth, the key priorities in building an AI-ready Philippines. (MASASalazar/DOST Guimaras)

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