On July 9, the AI Ecosystem Innovation Forum was held at The Plaza Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, to celebrate the launch of the AI Business Channel (ABC), a new economic broadcasting network focused on artificial intelligence. Attendees from government, industry, and academia began arriving as early as 9 a.m., an hour before the event started.
The crowd, which filled the venue for two consecutive days following the launch ceremony, reflected the growing interest in AI across various sectors in South Korea.
Before the main event, a VIP tea time brought together key figures in the AI field. Among those present were Im Kyu-jin, president of Aju Economy, Ryu Je-myung, the second vice minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT, Lee Sedol, a special professor of mechanical engineering at UNIST, Jeong So-young, CEO of NVIDIA Korea, and Im Seong-shin, head of AI development at Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI). They discussed current issues facing the domestic AI industry over tea.
In his opening remarks, Im Kyu-jin stated, "ABC will serve as a new media platform that organically connects AI technology, industry, policy, and economy, contributing to the development of South Korea's AI ecosystem." Ryu Je-myung followed with an introduction to the government's AI policy direction, promising the dawn of an era where every citizen will have their own AI agent.
The highlight of the event was a keynote speech by Professor Lee Sedol, who captivated the audience with his reflections on his journey from a five-year-old beginner in Go to his historic matches against AlphaGo in 2016. As he shared personal photos from his childhood and images from his matches, attendees reminisced about the past. Lee emphasized the importance of AI utilization a decade after his matches, earning a standing ovation at the conclusion of his talk.
Following Lee's address, Jeong So-young's presentation drew significant interest from industry attendees. She predicted that the competition in AI semiconductors would eventually expand into the realms of 'AI factories' and physical AI, prompting many in the audience to nod in agreement.
As the morning session concluded, attendees naturally transitioned to the dining area for lunch. Over nearly two hours, discussions continued to revolve around AI, with participants sharing insights from the morning's presentations and exchanging thoughts on the challenges of AI implementation in their respective fields. Many were seen exchanging business cards, marking the forum as a networking opportunity that extended beyond the lecture hall.
Attendance remained strong during the afternoon sessions, which focused on technology, finance, and industry. Participants took notes and captured slides, particularly during the finance session, where the practical topic of AI investment heightened engagement.
After the presentations, speakers mingled with the audience, exchanging business cards and contact information. This interaction exemplified the forum's goal of fostering communication and collaboration, moving beyond mere introductions to laying the groundwork for future partnerships.
Throughout the two-day event, The Plaza Hotel buzzed with discussions centered on AI. The celebrations for Aju Media Group's launch will continue with a breakfast meeting at the National Assembly on July 10, concluding the three-day journey.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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