World Knowledge Forum 2023: “Techno Big Bang” sheds light on humanity’s future

The challenges faced by liberal democracies due to the intensifying global power struggle and escalating conflicts among nations have thrust cutting-edge technology into the forefront.

Technology not only showcases human progress but also serves as a compass guiding humanity’s path forward.

The 24th World Knowledge Forum (WKF), scheduled for Sept. 12-14 in Seoul, South Korea, will be centered around the theme “Techno Big Bang: Humanity on the Shoulders of Giants.” This theme emphasizes the role of technology as a solution to the crises confronting humanity.

The phrase “humanity on the shoulders of giants” originated in the writings of 12th-century scholars and gained popularity through Isaac Newton, who used it to acknowledge that his scientific breakthroughs were made possible by the work of those who came before him. Maeil Business Newspaper selected this theme to signify that by leveraging the “giants” of technology built by pioneers, we can envision a brighter future.

A noteworthy aspect of this year’s forum is the introduction of clusters, which group together key sessions. For instance, the Artificial Intelligence (AI) cluster comprises five to six sessions directly related to AI technology. Attendees seeking to focus on AI sessions can easily navigate the AI cluster. Maeil Business Newspaper has thoughtfully curated five technology-focused clusters: AI, robotics, C-Tech (technology for climate change), quantum computing, and biotechnology.

The advent of ChatGPT, unveiled last year, has sparked both excitement and concerns about AI development. ChatGPT demonstrated its capabilities by synthesizing vast amounts of data and generating comprehensive insights beyond human imagination. The ability of AI to surpass expectations has prompted some to call for a halt to its development. In the AI Cluster, the core of AI technology will be examined, including discussions on its transformative potential for humanity and possible side effects.

The session on “The Future of AI” will feature OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, widely recognized as the “father of ChatGPT,” along with Ben Nelson, the founder of Minerva University. Together, they will provide insights on preparing for the next AI era and strategies for nurturing AI talent.

Zhang Ya-Qin, former president of Baidu and a prominent figure in China’s AI landscape, will be in attendance to discuss the G2 superpower rivalry over AI. Currently serving as a chair professor of AI Science at Tsinghua University and Dean of the Institute for AI Industry Research, Zhang brings deep expertise to the event.

Distinguished AI scholar Gary Marcus, professor emeritus at New York University, will shed light on the fierce AI races unfolding worldwide.

The Robotics cluster will delve into the present and future of this technology that has become integral to our daily lives. Advancements in AI and other fields are rapidly revolutionizing robotic movement control software. Speakers like Will Jackson, CEO of Engineered Arts, the creator of Ameca - a robot with lifelike facial expressions - and Kim Poulsen, CEO of Universal Robots, a leading collaborative robotics company, will showcase robotics technologies and industries.

Global warming-induced extreme weather events pose a threat to the world. Natural disasters, including floods, heatwaves, and rising sea levels, necessitate carbon reduction for a sustainable future. The C-Tech Cluster offers an opportunity to explore decarbonization technologies.

Quantum computers, whose applications are rapidly expanding in areas such as finance, pharmaceuticals, and material development, are also attracting great interest. Quantum computers can reduce traffic congestion by analyzing traffic and traffic signals in real time, but they can also pose a threat to cybersecurity, as they can break current digital encryption systems in seconds. Duke University professors Jungsang Kim and Christopher Monroe, who co-founded IonQ, a company that makes quantum computer chips, will join the cluster to explore the curent state of the art and future prospects of quantum computers, which have become a “double-edged sword.”

Longevity has long been a human aspiration. The Bio Cluster will introduce “reverse-aging” technology that goes beyond anti-aging measures to slow down the aging process and reverse the biological clock, rejuvenating the human body.