AI Beyond Thought: Driving the Next Industrial Revolution

In a keynote speech at the 2026 Next Tech Forum, Edaily CEO Lee Ik-won declared that artificial intelligence has moved beyond cognition to become a driving force reshaping industries worldwide. He emphasized that AI is now a cornerstone of industrial transformation, affecting sectors from semiconductors to services. Lee highlighted the need for nations and companies to secure technological hegemony in AI, noting that the competition extends beyond algorithms into hardware and infrastructure. The speech underscored the shift from AI as a mere tool to a foundational layer for future economic growth, positioning South Korea's semiconductor ecosystem as a critical player in this global race.