Kookmin University (President Jeong Seung Ryul) invited Professor Ko Insok of the Department of Philosophy at Inha University to speak at the 659th Thursday Special Lecture held on the afternoon of Thursday, March 19, in the Academic Conference Hall. On this day, Professor Ko delivered a lecture titled “Preparing for the Era of Artificial Intelligence, Which Has Already Begun.” He examined the impact of advancements in AI technology on human judgment and social structures, and discussed in depth the attitudes and standards we should adopt as we navigate the AI era.

Professor Ko first defined artificial intelligence as “the sum of human attempts and efforts to endow machines with intelligence,” explaining that today’s AI technology has become a powerful tool for collecting and organizing information. However, he emphasized the importance of maintaining a critical perspective toward the results provided by AI, stating, “We should actively accept information, but we must not believe it too readily.”

He then introduced the changes AI technology is bringing to scientific research and industry as a whole. In particular, using examples such as AI programs that predict protein structures and “AI scientists” that generate research ideas and even conduct experiments, he explained that artificial intelligence is expanding into research activities once considered the exclusive domain of humans. He stated, “Even science is changing because of AI,” and noted that we must pay attention to the speed and influence of technological advancement.

The lecture also included a discussion on the limitations and risks of AI. Professor Ko cited examples such as Amazon’s AI hiring system and the U.S. sentencing prediction program “Compas,” pointing out the issue of “bias”—where data-driven AI can produce outcomes that disadvantage specific groups. He emphasized, “AI may appear objective, but it ultimately operates based on data and standards created by humans,” stressing the need to constantly scrutinize the technology’s fairness.

At the conclusion of his lecture, Professor Ko suggested that the best way to prepare for the AI era is to “clarify for oneself what one likes, what one wants, and what one does not want.” He stated, “Artificial intelligence is a technology we create, and the direction in which it is used ultimately depends on our choices,” emphasizing the importance of living proactively rather than being swayed by technology.

Kookmin University’s Thursday Special Lecture Series—the first and longest-running regular course at a Korean university to feature weekly lectures by external speakers—has hosted approximately 660 speakers from various fields, including politics, society, science, and culture and the arts, over the past 30 years. Notable figures who have taken the podium include former President Roh Moo-hyun, Cardinal Kim Sou-hwan, author Ryu Si-min, film director Park Chan-wook, National Assembly Speaker Chung Sye-kyun, and U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Mark William Lippert.