Personnel needed to platformize AI technology and apply it to business models

An event was held to forecast the present and future of artificial intelligence (AI) and to examine domestic AI research achievements and corporate trends.

The '2017 International Artificial Intelligence Conference' was held at the Yongsan Dragon City Hotel on the 12th. As an event aimed at exploring ways to develop the domestic artificial intelligence industry, it was conducted under three major themes: the future of artificial intelligence, new horizons of artificial intelligence, and artificial intelligence and industry.

The event began with a keynote lecture by Professor Tom Mitchell of Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) on the theme of 'The Present and Future of Artificial Intelligence,' followed by a panel discussion featuring six domestic and international speakers on the theme of 'Future Changes Opened by Artificial Intelligence.' In the second session, Professor Noah Smith of the University of Washington introduced new optimization language modeling methodologies and their potential applications under the theme of 'New Trends in Natural Language Processing.'

In the final session, there were presentations on the global artificial intelligence market and industrial changes. PWC Managing Director Park Dong-kyu stated, “Interest in artificial intelligence is increasing.” "Accordingly, we are also experiencing trial and error due to differences in understanding," he said, adding, "It is important to understand the value chain of artificial intelligence."

The value chain consists of six stages: the paper stage for developing AI algorithms, the code stage for applying AI algorithms domestically (such as localization), the initialized code stage for introducing source technologies and initial learning, the platform stage for developing and building platforms, the solution stage for applying business concepts, and the business system stage for customizing and in-depth learning.

Executive Director Park stated, “While it is possible to skip steps, it is important to have a value chain,” adding, “The stages of developing AI algorithms, business concepts, and customization are lacking. Recently, startups have been in the process of becoming platforms based on government technology, but they have not yet reached the business realm.”

He said, “Many people ask whether we need to hire PhD-level personnel, and they are necessary as we move toward the left side of the value chain, that is, the algorithm development stage.” He added, “Conversely, as we move toward the right side, the business stage, we need players who can apply technology to business rather than just developing technology. AI will also move toward solving business issues.”

He continued, “If general-purpose AI platforms emerged last year, small-scale platforms tailored to businesses have appeared this year,” adding, “It is important to secure capabilities aligned with the focus areas of stakeholders. A mindset of trying to do everything from start to finish is problematic.” He pointed out, "We need to adopt and apply what can be applied, and for what cannot, we must shift toward fostering startups."

At the event, an awards ceremony was held for the three teams that achieved excellent results in the '2017 Artificial Intelligence R&D Challenge,' which took place on December 8 under the theme of 'Finding Fake News.' The Deepest team, a joint team of ESTsoft and Zoom Internet, took first place, the I-WAZ team led by Professor Kang Jang-mook of Namseoul University took second place, and the Nua team took third place.

Kim Yong-soo, Vice Minister of Science and ICT, emphasized, “We will create new industries by promoting intelligent innovation projects in various industrial sectors such as medical, manufacturing, cities, and transportation through the advancement of artificial intelligence intelligent technologies.”