By Fil C. Sionil
SEOUL, South Korea — The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) is a game changer that could lift the economy up the value chain.
The discourse during the three-day 27th World Knowledge Forum (WKF), themed “Promethean Moment: Architecting the Co-Intelligence Order,” extensively tackled the benefits, challenges, and risks that AI poses.
Yes, Virginia, the world is on the cusp of new Industrial Revolution. The adoption of AI makes workloads easier and life even better, but safeguards and regulation must be instituted because it could also pose an existential threat.
WKF founder and Chairman of Maekyung Media Group, Dr. Chang Dae-whan, described AI as “highly revolutionary tool” that pushes civilization forward.
At this very moment, AI acts as a catalyst steering a major historical shift, one matching the scale of the original industrial revolution by rapidly transforming how society works, goods and services are produced, and information is processed.
Ergo, it’s cost-effective.
Comparatively, while the industrial revolution built machines to enhance human physical strength, Google X co-founder Sebastian Thrun noted that AI functions as a “steam engine for the human brain.” It transforms human labor from routine task processing to higher-level creative and strategic thinking.
From what I’ve gathered listening to the speakers, AI is a welcome development. However, it has to be regulated.
Chairman Chang believes so as well, noting that AI “simultaneously serves as a dangerous double-edged sword if left completely uncontrolled.”
To gain a better perspective, regulators and lawmakers must fully understand AI to guide them in crafting effective safety nets.
Meanwhile, former British Prime Minister David Cameron cautioned against premature AI regulation.
He opined that governments should first focus on building business-friendly environments, introducing restrictions later—and strictly anchored on specific, concrete issues as they arise.
“Regulating AI is more complex. We have to understand that complexity and find how to regulate. Unless politicians understand AI, they may over-regulate,” agreed former Danish Prime Minister and Meta Oversight Board member Helle Thorning-Schmidt.
She explained that rules must be tailored to particular industries, emphasizing that “it’s not one-size-fits-all.”
Thrun, who also co-founded driverless vehicle company Waymo, stressed that “trust and safety issues should not be underestimated.”
AI safety researchers and other forum speakers echoed the need to control and secure AI before it reaches artificial general intelligence to prevent severe civilizational risks.
That’s right, Virginia. Moving forward, beyond its current capabilities, there’s the distinct possibility that AI could exceed human cognitive abilities across various mental and economic tasks.
A bit scary, huh?
Meanwhile, let’s raise our glasses to congratulate ASEAN Business Advisory Council Chairman Jose Ma. “Joey” Concepcion III. He is only the second Filipino bestowed with the ASEAN Entrepreneurs Award for Innovation, Inclusion, and Sustainability.
On Wednesday, on the sidelines of the WKF, Mr. Concepcion was recognized for empowering MSMEs through Go Negosyo, an initiative widely praised as a pathway to inclusive growth.
The first recipient was Robbie Antonio in 2019, recognized as the CEO and founder of Revolution Precrafted, the country’s first tech unicorn startup.
And Mr. Concepcion’s view on AI? While he believes it’s geared more toward the younger generation, he remains receptive to using AI as an enhancement to boost business operations.
Now for the lessons I’ve learned from the WKF: the three-day session opened my eyes to the reality that AI is like fire that keeps us warm. It’s the spark that fuels business operations to a whole new level.
At the same time, this heating element can prove destructive if not handled well and without proper safeguards.
As one speaker put it: creating useful tools for human beings is good, but creating a replacement for humanity is unsafe.
Talk back to me at sionil731@gmail.com
