Lee Sedol, a former professional Go player and special professor at UNIST, emphasized that the gap between those who understand and utilize artificial intelligence (AI) and those who do not will widen significantly, akin to the divide between the literate and illiterate in the past. He stated that in the AI era, the ability to leverage technology and the unique human philosophy will become increasingly important.
Lee made these remarks during a keynote speech titled 'Ten Years After AlphaGo: A New Era of Illiteracy' at the ABC Launch Commemoration AI Ecosystem Innovation Forum held at The Plaza Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, on July 9.
He identified his 2016 match against AlphaGo as a turning point for the AI era. While it was initially seen as a mere event, he reflected that it marked the beginning of AI's transformative impact on society.
After recently meeting Demis Hassabis, the developer of AlphaGo, Lee shared that Hassabis was inspired to immediately begin developing AlphaFold after gaining confidence from AlphaGo. He noted that AI innovations do not remain confined to one field but rapidly spread across various industries.
Lee stressed the need for South Korea to become a leading nation in AI rather than just a good collaborator. He pointed out that while AI increases productivity, it also exacerbates disparities. He had initially thought that the proliferation of AI Go programs would level the playing field, but in reality, those who better understand and utilize AI have become stronger, widening the gap between top and lower-ranked players. This phenomenon is now evident in other industries as well.
He recalled that in 2018, he had already discussed these changes within the Go community, but many dismissed it as a 'Go-only issue.' Now, the reality of AI-induced disparities is manifesting across all sectors.
Lee cautioned against placing blind trust in AI, stating that while AI excels in areas with clear rules, it cannot be relied upon for everything. He emphasized that the roles of direction-setting, planning, designing, and final judgment ultimately belong to humans.
He highlighted that the value of human narrative and philosophy will become even more significant in the AI era. 'Professional players do not just make good moves; they approach the game with their life experiences, beliefs, and philosophies,' he said. 'While AI may surpass humans in efficiency and correctness, it cannot create beliefs and philosophies rooted in narrative.' He added that in art and music, the essence of life and philosophy embedded within the work will become increasingly important.
Lee also called for the establishment of guidelines for AI utilization. He noted that many people are not unaware of AI's importance but feel overwhelmed by how to effectively use it. He suggested that credible channels should provide verified information and guidance to reduce AI illiteracy.
He concluded by stating that while he uses AI to receive daily news summaries, the responsibility of interpreting what that information means for society and business ultimately lies with humans. 'Only when the rapid facts provided by AI are combined with verified insights from experts can we truly navigate the AI era,' he said, expressing hope that ABC, the world's first AI-specialized channel, will serve as a guiding light in this new age.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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