Introduction

Via the conduit of the Seoul Future Conference, the Seoul Shinmun ardently endeavors to provide discerning insights into the momentous queries encompassing human intelligence, artificial intelligence, technology, and the auspicious direction that beckons us forth.

The Seoul Shinmun aims to suggest complex solutions for future issues in this era of change and innovation through the 「Seoul Future Conference」.
Lectures and discussions by top scholars from all over the world at the Seoul Future Conference bring up a meaningful topic about the development of future technologies.

In 2016, we reviewed the Fourth Industrial Revolution, a global trend, and checked the current state of technological development in Korea and countermeasures for our industry and society.
In 2017, under the theme of 'Job and Education in the Fourth Industrial Revolution Era,' we discussed changes in the job due to mechanization, automation and educational innovation to respond to this development.
In 2018, under the theme of ‘Beyond the Age of Connections’, we investigated how the expansion of connectivity caused by technological development affects our society and industry through an analysis of smart cities, blockchain, and big data.
In 2019, under the theme of 'The Era of Imagination, AI Asks,' we focused on how our lives would change with artificial intelligence technology and discussed collaboration between artificial intelligence and humans.
In 2020, under the theme of ‘The Digital Transformation, New Normal for Next Generation’, we discussed a new growth paradigm that will be implemented as digital technology after the coronavirus.
In 2021, under the theme of ‘Age of Hyper-Uncertainty, the Big Change’, we discussed climate change and hyper accelerated change of technology.
In 2022, under the theme of ‘Boundaryless – Adventure to Another World’, we shared the insights on life, technology, city and digital areas that will be newly explored beyond the boundaries.
In 2023, under the theme of ‘Big Question: AI+, Future, Exploration’, we discussing newly explored areas of AI+ in healthcare, robotics, human psychology, and creativity.

Over the past eight years, the event has welcomed approximately 130 domestic and international speakers and 3,500 audience members and served as a significant platform for reflecting on the impact of technological advancements on future society and anticipating innovative changes.

In celebration of its 120th anniversary, the Seoul Shinmun is proud to present the Seoul Future Conference. This year’s theme, “AI Gold Rush: Inflection Point to Evolve or Perish,” will examine the profound impact of artificial intelligence on our world going forward. By bringing together leading global experts, the conference will explore how AI is reshaping fields such as work, mobility, healthcare, and climate change.

We look forward to your participation and support. Thank you.

SFC Ei

SFC Ei

A symbol of the Seoul Future Conference (SFC) is inspired by the human brain and its complicated and circuit-like structure. It symbolizes the SFC leveraging unlimited potential and creative ideas to touch upon various issues of tomorrow.

It also represents human fingerprints that are unique to each person, demonstrating respect for independent and different viewpoints. At the same time, fingerprints can act as a gateway. As such, the SFC would like to become a key to reveal the unknown future.

The color orange stands for the SFC as creative, bold, open-minded and forward-looking.

CEO Message

Distinguished guests and speakers, greetings to you all. I am Kim Sung Soo, CEO of Seoul Shinmun Daily.

I would like to express my deep gratitude to all of you visiting Seoul Future Conference 2024 hosted by Seoul Shinmun Daily, which celebrates its 120th anniversary this year.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, Chairman Sohn Kyung-shik of the Korea Enterprises Federation, Chairman Jin Sik Yoon of the Korea International Trade Association, Chairman and CEO Byung-Rhae LEE of the General Insurance Association of Korea, and CEOs from the business and financial communities leading Korea, and other distinguished guests, I deeply appreciate you all for taking time to be here today.

I would also like to recognize and send my greetings to our keynote speakers, futurist and CEO of the Futures Agency GmbH Gerd Leonhard and Professor Sang Wook Yi of Artificial Intelligence at Hanyang University; speakers including Nicole Scoble-Williams, Global Future of Work Leader, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu LLC in Session I; Professor James Wang of Nanyang Technological University in Session II; Annette Hicks, Strategic Lead Client Executive, Oracle Health for Seoul Insight; Professor Mark Maslin of Earth System Science at University College London for the Seoul Future Conference (SFC) Talk; and other respected moderators and discussants.

We can hardly contemplate the future of the humanity anymore without artificial intelligence (AI). Nations and companies cannot talk about their next steps, expect innovation, or assure their survival without AI.

The topic of the ninth Seoul Future Conference this year is the “AI Gold Rush: Inflection Point to Evolve or Perish.” Under this topic, there will be five parts: the Keynote Session, Sessions I and II, Seoul Insight, and the SFC Talk.

During the Keynote Session, futurist Gerd Leonhard will speak on the relationship between AI and humans and Professor Sang Wook Yi will talk about humans’ smart survival strategies in the era of ubiquitous AI.

During Session I, speakers including Nicole Scoble-Williams, Global Future of Work Leader at Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu LLC, and Eunsun Gil, Research Fellow of the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics & Trade, will speak on shifts in the labor landscape and hold a discussion on that issue.

Session II will feature the future of transportation with AI under the theme of “Next Mobility: Intelligent Computers Opening the Sky-road.” Different challenges toward introducing urban air mobility (UAM) will be presented by Professor James Wang of Nanyang Technological University; Jeong-il Kim, Vice President of SK Telecom; and Min Chul Jung, Head of Innovative Air Mobility Office, Korea Airport Corporation.

This past summer was extremely hot, compounding the concerns about the climate crisis. During the SFC Talk, Professor Mark Maslin of University College London and Jiyun Gim, President of Green Environment Youth Korea, will present insights on addressing the climate crisis with AI.

Seoul Future Conference 2024 will explore a new world shaped by AI, and I hope that you all find it productive toward coming up with solutions to disruptive innovation and a symbiosis between humans and AI.

Thank you.

서울신문

Since founded in 1904, The Seoul Shinmun has been serving as the only public newspaper in the country for 120 years with employees and public shareholders as main shareholders. The Seoul Shinmun has been regarded as a reasonable media that represents the people and public interest

It’s well-received as accurate and fair media and trusted by opinion readers. Based on balanced perspectives, The Seoul Shinmun delivers exclusive stories and critical facts through in-depth coverage. It aims to place the value of news on national reconciliation, peace and unification as well as social justice.

Directions

Venue
Grand Ballroom, 1F The Westin Josun Seoul
(04533) 106, Sogong-ro, Sogong-dong, Jung-gu
Transportation
지하철

Line 2, Euljiro Station > Exit 7 (7 minutes walk)
Line 1, City Hall > Exit 6 (8 minutes on foot)

버스

Lotte Department Store
- Straight (Blue) : N15, N30, 100, 143, 151, 152, 202, 261, 262, 405, 501, 701, 702A, 702B, 705
- Branch line (green) : 7017, 7021

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