Exploring the Future of Understanding Emotions and Human-Centric Technology

In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) can understand emotions, a pressing question arises: where should technology be directed? During the session titled AI Understanding Emotions: Technology for People at the Global Talent Forum 2025, experts from academia, industry, and nonprofit foundations unanimously advocated for investing in technology for people.
The first speaker, Professor Lee Ji-young from Seoul Digital University’s Department of Counseling Psychology, diagnosed that the proliferation of AI is weakening the bonds between people. She stated, "The explosive increase in shallow connections centered around messages and emojis has led to a decrease in time invested in deep conversations and intimate relationships." She cautioned that since AI responds instantly to users desires, there is a significant risk of reinforcing self-centered communication styles.
Professor Lee also emphasized the need to be wary of humans becoming emotionally dependent on AI. As a solution, she proposed institutional strengthening of emotional intelligence (EQ) education. She remarked, "While AIs empathy may appear sophisticated, the experience of authenticity is uniquely human." She stressed that as technology expands, there is a crucial need to invest in fostering social ties and emotional regulation skills.
Yoo Tae-joon, CEO of Mind AI, a company focused on developing physical AI technologies, pointed out that the future battlegrounds will be in VLA (Vision-Language-Action) and digital twin simulators. He asserted, "Companies and nations that establish pipelines for virtual learning and empirical testing before deploying in real-world settings will gain the upper hand." He highlighted the importance of developing software intelligence that allows AI to respond to human emotions in real environments, noting that South Korea, with its comprehensive ecosystem encompassing semiconductors, manufacturing, and software, is well-positioned to lead in this endeavor.
As we navigate this new landscape where AI and human emotions intersect, it is imperative that technology evolves not just to enhance efficiency but also to enrich human connections. The insights shared at the Global Talent Forum underline the need for a balanced approach, ensuring that as AI deepens its understanding of human emotions, we also cultivate the essential qualities that make us human.
The first speaker, Professor Lee Ji-young from Seoul Digital University’s Department of Counseling Psychology, diagnosed that the proliferation of AI is weakening the bonds between people. She stated, "The explosive increase in shallow connections centered around messages and emojis has led to a decrease in time invested in deep conversations and intimate relationships." She cautioned that since AI responds instantly to users desires, there is a significant risk of reinforcing self-centered communication styles.
Professor Lee also emphasized the need to be wary of humans becoming emotionally dependent on AI. As a solution, she proposed institutional strengthening of emotional intelligence (EQ) education. She remarked, "While AIs empathy may appear sophisticated, the experience of authenticity is uniquely human." She stressed that as technology expands, there is a crucial need to invest in fostering social ties and emotional regulation skills.
Yoo Tae-joon, CEO of Mind AI, a company focused on developing physical AI technologies, pointed out that the future battlegrounds will be in VLA (Vision-Language-Action) and digital twin simulators. He asserted, "Companies and nations that establish pipelines for virtual learning and empirical testing before deploying in real-world settings will gain the upper hand." He highlighted the importance of developing software intelligence that allows AI to respond to human emotions in real environments, noting that South Korea, with its comprehensive ecosystem encompassing semiconductors, manufacturing, and software, is well-positioned to lead in this endeavor.
As we navigate this new landscape where AI and human emotions intersect, it is imperative that technology evolves not just to enhance efficiency but also to enrich human connections. The insights shared at the Global Talent Forum underline the need for a balanced approach, ensuring that as AI deepens its understanding of human emotions, we also cultivate the essential qualities that make us human.
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