Gachon University's Startup College has created a platform for interdisciplinary exchange to explore the roles of humanity, knowledge, and literature in the age of AI.
On October 2, Gachon University announced that the Startup College held the first lecture of the '2026 Ensapia Colloquium' at the Gachon Cocone School.
This event aims to address fundamental questions about humanity and society across various fields, including literature, history, psychology, and science and technology.
The inaugural lecture featured Professor Shin Hyung-cheol from Seoul National University, who spoke on the topic 'Why and How Should We Read Literature in the AI Era?'
Professor Shin explained the reasons for reading literature in a context where generative AI produces results that are difficult to distinguish from human writing in a short time.
He stated, "We need to view literature as a process of understanding oneself and others, and gaining new knowledge," emphasizing the importance of distinguishing between the realm of intelligence performed by AI and the conscious experiences of humans when examining the meaning of literature.
He also noted, "When reading literary works, it is crucial to maintain an attitude of continuously contemplating the questions posed by the work, rather than merely focusing on criticism, moral judgment, or empathy."
The event attracted over 50 attendees, including professors, researchers, and students from various fields such as engineering, humanities, and social sciences. A Q&A session followed the lecture, discussing topics related to literature and humanity in the AI era.
Jang Dae-ik, head of the Startup College, remarked, "In an era where AI is responsible for the production and distribution of knowledge, it is essential to discover valuable questions, define problems, and take responsibility for outcomes," adding, "We will create a space for different fields to interact beyond the boundaries of their majors."
The '2026 Ensapia Colloquium' will continue in November and December.
On November 6, Professor Joo Kyung-cheol, an emeritus professor of Western history at Seoul National University, will give a lecture titled 'World History Created by the Sea: A Large and Delicate Interpretation,' in collaboration with Gachon University's AI Humanities College.
Additionally, on December 4, Professor Choi In-cheol, a psychology professor at Seoul National University and head of the Happiness Research Center, will present a lecture titled 'A Good Life Odyssey: A Psychologist's Journey to Find a Good Life,' in partnership with Gachon University's psychology department.
Both lectures will take place at 3:30 PM at the Gachon Cocone School.
Interested individuals can participate by registering in advance, with a limit of 50 attendees per session on a first-come, first-served basis.
Meanwhile, Gachon University's Startup College is set to transition to the 'Ensapia School' in March of next year.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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