[CONFERENCE] 'We are continually defining what AI talent and players will be needed'

At the inaugural panel discussion of the 2026 Korea Times Global Conference, titled "Beyond AI: Building human-centered leadership for the next era," education experts and industry leaders urged universities to fundamentally reevaluate their roles in the age of artificial intelligence. They emphasized that higher education must transition from merely transmitting knowledge to nurturing human-centric skills like critical thinking, ethical responsibility, and problem definition.

The session, "The human edge of AI: Reimagining global competitiveness in Korean universities," was moderated by Choi Jae-boong, a professor of interdisciplinary AI service design at Sungkyunkwan University. The discussion centered on how academic institutions could integrate technology into education, research, and the overall student experience to create human-centered AI campuses.

Panelists highlighted the necessity of maximizing human capabilities that AI cannot replace, while simultaneously deepening industry partnerships and fostering innovation. The focus was on equipping students with the skills needed to thrive in an increasingly tech-driven world, where human ingenuity and ethical decision-making remain irreplaceable.