ADeKo Chairman Kim Hyo-joon, front row second from right, and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, front row second from left, pose with participants during the 14th ADeKo Conference on AI in Research and Industry for your Life, held at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in downtown Seoul, Wednesday. Courtesy of ADeKo
Academic and industry experts from Korea and Germany convened, Wednesday, for the 14th ADeKo Conference, focusing on the present and future impact of artificial intelligence (AI).
Under the theme "AI in Research and Industry for your Life," the event, organized by ADeKo, a Korean-German alumni network, highlighted the collaborative efforts of both nations in AI technology and industrial advancements.
Participants explored strategies for harnessing AI in research and industry, while also discussing ways to deepen the long-standing partnership between Korea and Germany in these fields.
The conference underscored the growing importance of AI in shaping the future of technological innovation across both countries.
"While AI is expected to transform society and generate economic value, there is a need for critical reflection," ADeKo Chairman Kim Hyo-joon said during the opening session.
Kim emphasized that rather than dwelling on vague fears about AI, the focus should be on embracing the digital revolution, which maximizes the value of information from all individuals.
"I hope this conference will further strengthen the ties between Korea and Germany through ongoing cooperation, driving industrial research and development with a focus on AI," he said.
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon took part in the conference, outlining the city’s AI-driven policies to position Seoul as a global tech hub.
"The city government is actively implementing policies to attract top talent and tech companies from around the world to Seoul," Oh said.
"These efforts are boosting Seoul’s competitiveness by advancing high-tech industries and creating high value-added jobs within the city."
Oh also shared the city's long-term strategy to transform Seoul into a global center for AI innovation, revealing plans to host Seoul Smart Life Week, an event he described as the Korean version of the Consumer Technology Association, which runs the annual CES tech trade show in Las Vegas.
German Ambassador to Korea Georg Schmidt and MCM Holdings Chairperson Kim Sung-joo delivered speeches via video.
"This topic is very timely, as AI is impacting our lives and gaining significant attention," said Schmidt, expressing optimism for productive discussions.
"Korea, recognized as a global leader in information and communication technology, and Germany, home to world-leading companies in engineering and tech, will become two ICT powerhouses driving the AI era," Kim said through a video featuring an AI-generated version of herself.
Experts from academia and industry further discussed various topics, including the legal challenges of AI, its economic impact and its applicability across various sectors during the conference.
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