"This may come as a shock, but in the future, a university degree will not necessarily be required."
On the 16th, SK Group Chairman Choi Tae-won appeared as a lecturer on EBS's "Great Lecture," stating the above. Choi (Chairman) has been delivering lectures on EBS from the 12th through this day under the theme of "AI (Artificial Intelligence) and New Capitalism, and Youth."
Choi (Chairman) said, "Whether or not you have graduated from university, there may be little difference in how you use AI," adding, "It seems that society and companies will want to give jobs more to those who are better at problem-solving, asking questions, thinking, empathizing, and adapting."
He continued, "This is not a suggestion to stop studying," emphasizing, "While doing well in studies is important, one cannot say that success is achieved by that alone."
Choi (Chairman) explained, "The very concept of learning must change now. Since neither teachers nor professors have experienced this, there is no one who can teach it. You yourselves must use AI to find your own methods and research how to digest problems and act. It is important to try making anything with AI when the opportunity arises."
He argued, "In the age of AI, a system that produces people in a single format cannot work. The idea that a top student who gets good grades is an excellent student is an outdated convention of the industrial era. Schools in the age of AI must change from places of learning to places of experimentation."
Regarding the value of labor in the age of AI, he stated, "Until now, working at one company, in one occupation, and in one department for set hours from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. was considered employment and labor," adding, "But now, if you utilize AI, you can match productivity in one or two hours, so there is no reason to be at the company for about six hours."
Choi (Chairman) stated, "Whether to put in more effort, hold more jobs, and do more work to earn money is an individual's choice," explaining, "Until now, people worked as regular or contract employees, but now one must design their own work. In the future, instead of being employed by someone else, the freedom to choose a company will become an option."
When asked what he would do if he could return to his 20s, Choi (Chairman) said, "I would unconditionally start a business, and if there is a problem I consider the most difficult for South Korea or humanity, I would spare no means or method to solve it," while smiling and adding, "Saying that is too grandiose, and there is a high probability that I would probably be doing more nothing. That is likely the more accurate statement."
in INDUSTRY
