AI developers share mixed views on technological advancement and job security

Three developers discussed the evolving role of artificial intelligence in a Ministry of Science and ICT video, where Lim Du-won expressed fear regarding the rapid pace of AI replacing tasks despite the technology increasing work speed in exhibition planning.

As concerns grow that artificial intelligence (AI) will replace human tasks, developers working on the front lines are sharing their perspectives on the technology. In a recently released video titled "Tomorrow on the Dining Table" by the Ministry of Science and ICT, three AI developers gathered over a Korean beef meal to engage in an honest conversation regarding the role and future of technology, as well as their lives as developers.

The participants included digital twin developer Seo Chae-eun, entrepreneur Han Cho-rom, who operates the property information platform House of Property Sales, and Lim Du-won, who works in exhibition-related duties. They exchanged views on how AI technology is being utilized in actual industrial fields and what attitude developers should maintain amidst a rapidly changing technological environment.

"AI should move beyond task assistance toward comforting the human heart"

The participants confirmed that AI has already become deeply embedded in development sites and across various industries. Seo Chae-eun stated that she utilizes AI when verifying 3D models in the field of digital twins, a technology that replicates reality in virtual space. Han Cho-rom also explained that while she initially focused heavily on writing code herself, she now uses AI training to reflect the context of her platform, allowing AI to replace many previous tasks.

Expectations and concerns intersected regarding the changes brought by technological advancement. Lim Du-won noted that the introduction of AI has dramatically increased work speed during the planning and design stages of exhibitions, but expressed honest feelings about the pace of progress, stating, "It sometimes feels scary that AI is replacing so many things." However, an optimistic view was also presented that AI will act in a positive direction, much like how the spread of the internet created more jobs rather than eliminating human value.

Regarding the future direction of AI development, they emphasized "technology for humans." The outlook suggested that technology will evolve toward helping the emotional domain of humans—such as AI that can capture or comfort the human heart—rather than robots that simply perform specific tasks. This reflects a consideration of how technology will integrate into human life beyond being a mere tool for increasing efficiency.

Entrepreneurs and developers created by 'AI and Software Maestro'

During the conversation, the impact of the 'AI and Software Maestro' (hereafter Soma) program, supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT, on the growth of developers was specifically mentioned. Han Cho-rom revealed that she entered the path of a developer through the Soma program and is currently running House of Property Sales based on the project item she worked on at that time. To resolve the complexity of housing subscriptions and information asymmetry in property sales, Han provides personalized analysis and filtering services.

Han cited expert mentoring and the experience of collaborating with peers as strengths of the Soma program. In particular, an anecdote about team members waiting outside a mentor's space to attempt a brief conversation to receive advice from a popular mentor demonstrates how talent grows within a passionate educational environment. Soma is a project that helps students conduct self-directed projects by providing scholarships, educational support, and expert mentoring to foster core talent in the AI and software fields.

Seo Chae-eun, an electronics engineering major, also stated that she chose this path because she was drawn to the charm of development, which allows one to quickly create products alone. She explained that while electronics engineering is the process of creating small circuits, development differs in that it allows for the rapid implementation of products that people can use immediately based on those circuits. To them, technology is defined not merely as the act of writing code, but as a means to exert a positive influence on society.

"An ecosystem is needed that supports those with only an idea"

Policy suggestions from the perspective of working developers followed. While intensive educational opportunities like Soma are precious, concerns were raised that once developers enter the workforce, there are relatively fewer opportunities to communicate deeply with fellow developers and contemplate technical directions. There was an opinion that support for forming communities or networks where developers can gather and deliberate is necessary.

Furthermore, voices emerged stating that supporting practical infrastructure for developers at the idea stage is more important for vitalizing the ecosystem than project support that forces entrepreneurship. Han Cho-rom suggested, "In addition to full-scale entrepreneurship support that requires registering a business, if resources such as cloud credits or AI agent credits were provided to help implement ideas, more services could emerge."

Finally, the developers concluded the conversation by sharing their philosophy on technology. They expressed ambitions to become people who autonomously learn and utilize the technology needed to solve real-world problems, stating that "technology is merely a tool." They conveyed a will to deliver even a small impact to society through technology, designing a future with the hope that technology will contribute to making human lives more comfortable and happy.

Source: original video (YouTube)