Academics explore how entrepreneurs can navigate AI disruption at Jinju forum

JINJU, South Gyeongsang Province - Intellectuals gathered at the 2026 Jinju K-Entrepreneurship International Forum to delve into the ways entrepreneurs can transform AI-driven disruption into profitable ventures and address societal issues. During the fourth session on Tuesday, the second day of the forum, the focus was on navigating uncertainty and leveraging technological advancements to create opportunities through experimentation, resilience, and practical problem-solving.

Erkko Autio, a chair in technology transfer and entrepreneurship at Imperial College London, highlighted that AI has significantly reduced the technical and financial barriers to creating products. He explained that the technical and financial constraints that once hindered entrepreneurship are now being dismantled by AI. Autio stated, "The bottleneck in entrepreneurship was that it required engineering capacity and money. But now AI has collapsed that constraint because anyone can now build whatever they desire."

Autio emphasized that the competitive advantage in the modern business landscape no longer lies solely in possessing engineering expertise or significant financial resources. Instead, it is derived from the entrepreneurial journey itself, which necessitates time, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of innovation. The product itself also plays a crucial role in establishing a competitive edge.