To lead the AI era, Korea must completely forget its past success formula. It must challenge itself with the mindset of starting anew.
[The Miilk-Exporum Hosted K-Innovation Night]
The Future of Korea’s AI Industry at CES 2025 Theme... Keynote Speech by Yoon Song-yee, Chairperson of NC Cultural Foundation
A discussion with Silicon Valley venture and AI experts including Chris Yeh, Tom Park, and Hwang Yura
Technology and industry experts including Joo Young-sup, Hugh Choi, Jeong Ji-hoon, Jeong gu-min, Jeon Jin-soo, and Jang Dong-sun all in attendance
Joo Young-sup, Special Professor at Seoul National University (Former Administrator of the Small and Medium Business Administration), stated at the 'CES2025 K-Innovation Night' held in Las Vegas on the 8th (local time) that for Korea to become a global leader in the AI industry and drive change, it must create a new success formula.
Professor Joo said, "Korea succeeded by quickly and efficiently making what others had already done through fast following. However, the competitive edge that once drove Korea’s success is gradually disappearing. Now, wages are higher than Japan’s, and it's been a long time since the lights went out in research labs," adding, "Even though Korea had multiple successes through fast following in the past, the strategy must now change." He continued, "Just having superior technology isn't enough. To truly become a developed country, we must dominate the world humans want to live in. Through AI technology, we must set a purpose and convince people why this product is necessary in the world. We must dominate the 'why.'"
The 'K-Innovation Night,' co-hosted by The Miilk and the MICE company Exporum, is one of the major VIP-targeted technology conferences and networking events at CES2025.
The event, held at the Freddyshium Ballroom at Park MGM in Las Vegas, was attended by over 150 key figures, including Yoon Jin-sik, President of the Korea International Trade Association; Kim Dong-won, President of Korea University; Hwang Chul-ju, Chairman of Jusung Engineering; Lee Dong-ki, President of COEX; and Bonnie Lee, CEO of Hanmi Bank. The event was held under the theme "The Future of Korea's AI Industry at CES2025."
Son Jae-kwon, CEO of The Miilk
"2025: A Turning Point in AI Utilization"... "Focus on the Essentials and Rapidly Apply AI Technology"
The event was held around three sessions focused on AI and CES2025.
In the first session, Hwang Yu-ra, Head of Asia-Pacific at Purplecity, moderated a discussion with Chris Yeh, CEO of Blitzscaling Ventures, and Tom Park, Vice President of SoundHound AI.
Chris Yeh predicted that 2025 will be a turning point in AI utilization, marking the year when AI will firmly establish itself in our daily lives. He emphasized that the potential of AI is still underutilized, with less than 1% of its possible capabilities currently in use. He further stated, "AI can be utilized 10, 50, or even 100 times more effectively than it is today. We are just beginning to explore AI’s potential."
He particularly focused on the potential development of AI agents, stating that as AI technology becomes more intuitive and user-friendly, it will bring innovations to how people handle everyday tasks. "As AI progresses in providing tangible help, people will trust the technology more and use it more frequently," he said.
From an economic perspective, he noted that the opportunities presented by AI are limitless. "If you ask whether AI can make money, remember that we haven't even begun to fully utilize AI yet," he said, adding, "AI will become a core technology for generating economic value in the future."
In a discussion on AI Big Things, Tom Park, Vice President of SoundHound AI, shared insights on how companies are responding to the era of generative AI, using SoundHound AI as an example. He explained that "since SoundHound’s founding in 2005, the company has maintained a consistent mission to ‘expand user experience through voice AI.’" Over the past 15 years, the company has quickly adapted to technological changes whenever new technologies emerged.
He emphasized, "We must focus on the essence of the mission while adapting to technological changes." Regarding the survival of B2B companies, he noted, "To succeed, companies need to reduce internal costs or strengthen their product’s value through technology. Naturally, AI implementation should happen quickly in the B2B sector. This movement won’t just be about simple adoption but will evolve into a more sophisticated system that works seamlessly right away."
Tom Park, Vice President of SoundHound AI, sharing his insights on the subject
Jensen Huang's Keynote, NVIDIA's Hegemony Battle Promotion… Professor Jeong Gu-min: "The Usability of Generative AI Expands from PCs to Automobiles"
The second panel discussion session at CES 2025 focused on mobility, energy, and healthcare. The panel featured Jihoon Jung, Partner at Asia 2G Capital, Professor Jeong Gu-min from Kookmin University, and neuroscientist Dr. Jang Dong-sun. The discussion was led by Jaekwon Son, CEO of The Miilk.
Partner Jihoon Jung, referring to NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang's keynote speech, emphasized, "The key takeaway is that AI technology, which was at an inflection point, is no longer limited to online services but is now evolving into 'Physical AI,' integrating with physical systems."
Professor Jeong analyzed, "Even though NVIDIA has been the leading supplier of AI chips, and its semiconductors are essential for operations, surprisingly, companies like Qualcomm have taken the lead in the Physical AI sector." He pointed out that NVIDIA is highlighting this area to prevent losing its hegemony amid these changes.
He further noted that the most influential companies in this transition are service giants like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon. These companies have already moved AI-related technologies from the testing phase to commercialization.
"Big tech firms are designing and manufacturing their own chips to maximize energy efficiency, cost savings, and overall efficiency," Professor Jeong stated. "This event served as NVIDIA's promotional effort to demonstrate its response to these industry shifts."
When moderator Son asked about AI applications, neuroscientist Dr. Jang Dong-sun highlighted their presence in robotics, mobility, and digital healthcare. "CES 2025 showcased many technological demonstrations and collaborations with companies like Delta and Uber, rather than fully developed business models." he said.
Professor Jeong Gu-min, an expert in mobility, pointed out the rise of China in the sector. "Chinese domestic automakers have been growing, and in July 2023, for the first time, their market share surpassed 50%," he explained. "Germany, home to traditional automobile brands like Mercedes-Benz and BMW, is struggling significantly. Mobility trends must be understood in the context of national economic shifts."
He also discussed how the mobility sector has evolved. "Last year, 'Software-Defined Mobility (SDV)' was a major trend in digital transformation. Now, large language models (LLMs) are being integrated into mobility solutions," he analyzed. "Volkswagen was the first to incorporate ChatGPT into its vehicles and commercialized it. The usability of generative AI is now expanding from PCs to automobiles."
Professor Jeong Gu-min from Kookmin University
In the final session, former Administrator of the Small and Medium Business Administration, Professor Joo Young-sup from Seoul National University, CEO Choi Hyung-uk of Future Designers, and former CEO Jeon Jin-soo of SuperLabs gave lectures on startup and emerging tech trends observed at CES 2025.
Former CEO Jeon Jin-soo, an expert in spatial computing, remarked, "Ten years ago, Eureka Park was just a small zone where small companies gathered. This year, however, it has transformed into a large-scale battleground with over 1,300 startups participating." He noted that it was interesting to see how companies that started small grew, expanded their exhibition spaces, and moved to different halls over time.
Jeon pointed out, "At Eureka Park, AI technology was embedded in almost every device on display—it was actually difficult to find products without AI. This event clearly highlighted the rise of Chinese companies that can manufacture such devices quickly and at low costs."
He also mentioned that "Age Tech" and "Longevity," which address how to live longer and healthier lives, were key themes at CES. "There were many technologies focused on not just extending life but improving its quality, such as assistive robots, spoons designed to help with low-sodium diets, and glass-type hearing aids. It was particularly gratifying to see Korean companies excelling in this field," he added.
CEO Choi Hyung-uk shared his perspective on the future changes in CES. "The Central Hall is home to the most influential companies, and this year, it felt like a major shift was taking place. Samsung, Sony, and LG always appear at the entrance of the Central Hall—they are still doing well, but their presence was far from groundbreaking," he observed.
He also noted, "I sensed that Chinese companies are making a comeback in both the Central and North Halls. The absence of high-tech Chinese firms in the U.S. market is not due to a lack of technology but rather restrictions on their entry. With a struggling domestic market, China is once again focusing on global expansion." He added, "The key question is how our companies can maintain their competitive edge and continue to create added value in this increasingly competitive landscape."
Professor Joo Young-sup expressed concerns about the competitiveness of Korean companies. "Samsung, Hyundai, and LG are making great technological advancements, but there are concerns about their future industrial strategies," he stated.
He emphasized, "The old success formula of being a 'fast follower' no longer works. AI is crucial, but companies must dominate the 'Why?' behind their innovations." According to Joo, true industry leadership is only possible when a company can clearly articulate and dominate the purpose of its products—something he believes Korean companies lack.
He further explained, "Since 2023, CES has shifted from a technology-centric event to a purpose-driven theme of 'Human Security for All (HS4A).' To become a 'first mover,' companies must take ownership of the 'why.' We are now in an era where the paradigm must be completely redefined."
Professor Joo Young-sup giving his speech
Meanwhile, at the event, President Kim Dong-won of Korea University delivered the opening speech, while President Bonnie Lee of Hanmi Bank gave the welcome speech, marking the beginning of the event.
During the event, a networking session was also organized, allowing attendees to freely communicate and exchange ideas, which received a great response.
The event also provided a real-time translation service. Attendees were able to participate in the lectures and panel discussions while checking the translated text of English lectures into Korean and vice versa, using the platform developed by XL8, which offers real-time AI translation services. Chris Yeh, CEO of XL8, commented, "It was incredibly innovative to introduce such a service at an event targeting only Korean attendees. Thanks to this, we had the opportunity to experience a wide range of insights from Korean experts."
Son Jae-kwon, CEO of The Miilk, said, "Even in these challenging times in Korea, many people participated in CES2025 and K-Innovation Night to check out new business opportunities and technological trends." He added, "The Miilk also participated in CES2025 under the name 'Hope Expedition,' together with journalists, researchers, and experts from various fields."
Son further stated, "Amidst the paradigm shift triggered by the emergence of generative AI, fierce competition continues. The Miilk will do its best to provide practical insights and opportunities in the technology field, helping our companies achieve sustainable growth."
A participant is using the translation feature for an English lecture through the platform of XL8, a startup providing real-time AI translation services. (Picture from The Miilk)
To lead the AI era, Korea must completely forget its past success formula. It must challenge itself with the mindset of starting anew.
[The Miilk-Exporum Hosted K-Innovation Night]
The Future of Korea’s AI Industry at CES 2025 Theme... Keynote Speech by Yoon Song-yee, Chairperson of NC Cultural Foundation
A discussion with Silicon Valley venture and AI experts including Chris Yeh, Tom Park, and Hwang Yura
Technology and industry experts including Joo Young-sup, Hugh Choi, Jeong Ji-hoon, Jeong gu-min, Jeon Jin-soo, and Jang Dong-sun all in attendance
Joo Young-sup, Special Professor at Seoul National University (Former Administrator of the Small and Medium Business Administration), stated at the 'CES2025 K-Innovation Night' held in Las Vegas on the 8th (local time) that for Korea to become a global leader in the AI industry and drive change, it must create a new success formula.
Professor Joo said, "Korea succeeded by quickly and efficiently making what others had already done through fast following. However, the competitive edge that once drove Korea’s success is gradually disappearing. Now, wages are higher than Japan’s, and it's been a long time since the lights went out in research labs," adding, "Even though Korea had multiple successes through fast following in the past, the strategy must now change." He continued, "Just having superior technology isn't enough. To truly become a developed country, we must dominate the world humans want to live in. Through AI technology, we must set a purpose and convince people why this product is necessary in the world. We must dominate the 'why.'"
The 'K-Innovation Night,' co-hosted by The Miilk and the MICE company Exporum, is one of the major VIP-targeted technology conferences and networking events at CES2025.
The event, held at the Freddyshium Ballroom at Park MGM in Las Vegas, was attended by over 150 key figures, including Yoon Jin-sik, President of the Korea International Trade Association; Kim Dong-won, President of Korea University; Hwang Chul-ju, Chairman of Jusung Engineering; Lee Dong-ki, President of COEX; and Bonnie Lee, CEO of Hanmi Bank. The event was held under the theme "The Future of Korea's AI Industry at CES2025."
Son Jae-kwon, CEO of The Miilk
"2025: A Turning Point in AI Utilization"... "Focus on the Essentials and Rapidly Apply AI Technology"
The event was held around three sessions focused on AI and CES2025.
In the first session, Hwang Yu-ra, Head of Asia-Pacific at Purplecity, moderated a discussion with Chris Yeh, CEO of Blitzscaling Ventures, and Tom Park, Vice President of SoundHound AI.
Chris Yeh predicted that 2025 will be a turning point in AI utilization, marking the year when AI will firmly establish itself in our daily lives. He emphasized that the potential of AI is still underutilized, with less than 1% of its possible capabilities currently in use. He further stated, "AI can be utilized 10, 50, or even 100 times more effectively than it is today. We are just beginning to explore AI’s potential."
He particularly focused on the potential development of AI agents, stating that as AI technology becomes more intuitive and user-friendly, it will bring innovations to how people handle everyday tasks. "As AI progresses in providing tangible help, people will trust the technology more and use it more frequently," he said.
From an economic perspective, he noted that the opportunities presented by AI are limitless. "If you ask whether AI can make money, remember that we haven't even begun to fully utilize AI yet," he said, adding, "AI will become a core technology for generating economic value in the future."
In a discussion on AI Big Things, Tom Park, Vice President of SoundHound AI, shared insights on how companies are responding to the era of generative AI, using SoundHound AI as an example. He explained that "since SoundHound’s founding in 2005, the company has maintained a consistent mission to ‘expand user experience through voice AI.’" Over the past 15 years, the company has quickly adapted to technological changes whenever new technologies emerged.
He emphasized, "We must focus on the essence of the mission while adapting to technological changes." Regarding the survival of B2B companies, he noted, "To succeed, companies need to reduce internal costs or strengthen their product’s value through technology. Naturally, AI implementation should happen quickly in the B2B sector. This movement won’t just be about simple adoption but will evolve into a more sophisticated system that works seamlessly right away."
Tom Park, Vice President of SoundHound AI, sharing his insights on the subject
Jensen Huang's Keynote, NVIDIA's Hegemony Battle Promotion… Professor Jeong Gu-min: "The Usability of Generative AI Expands from PCs to Automobiles"
The second panel discussion session at CES 2025 focused on mobility, energy, and healthcare. The panel featured Jihoon Jung, Partner at Asia 2G Capital, Professor Jeong Gu-min from Kookmin University, and neuroscientist Dr. Jang Dong-sun. The discussion was led by Jaekwon Son, CEO of The Miilk.
Partner Jihoon Jung, referring to NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang's keynote speech, emphasized, "The key takeaway is that AI technology, which was at an inflection point, is no longer limited to online services but is now evolving into 'Physical AI,' integrating with physical systems."
Professor Jeong analyzed, "Even though NVIDIA has been the leading supplier of AI chips, and its semiconductors are essential for operations, surprisingly, companies like Qualcomm have taken the lead in the Physical AI sector." He pointed out that NVIDIA is highlighting this area to prevent losing its hegemony amid these changes.
He further noted that the most influential companies in this transition are service giants like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon. These companies have already moved AI-related technologies from the testing phase to commercialization.
"Big tech firms are designing and manufacturing their own chips to maximize energy efficiency, cost savings, and overall efficiency," Professor Jeong stated. "This event served as NVIDIA's promotional effort to demonstrate its response to these industry shifts."
When moderator Son asked about AI applications, neuroscientist Dr. Jang Dong-sun highlighted their presence in robotics, mobility, and digital healthcare. "CES 2025 showcased many technological demonstrations and collaborations with companies like Delta and Uber, rather than fully developed business models." he said.
Professor Jeong Gu-min, an expert in mobility, pointed out the rise of China in the sector. "Chinese domestic automakers have been growing, and in July 2023, for the first time, their market share surpassed 50%," he explained. "Germany, home to traditional automobile brands like Mercedes-Benz and BMW, is struggling significantly. Mobility trends must be understood in the context of national economic shifts."
He also discussed how the mobility sector has evolved. "Last year, 'Software-Defined Mobility (SDV)' was a major trend in digital transformation. Now, large language models (LLMs) are being integrated into mobility solutions," he analyzed. "Volkswagen was the first to incorporate ChatGPT into its vehicles and commercialized it. The usability of generative AI is now expanding from PCs to automobiles."
Professor Jeong Gu-min from Kookmin University
In the final session, former Administrator of the Small and Medium Business Administration, Professor Joo Young-sup from Seoul National University, CEO Choi Hyung-uk of Future Designers, and former CEO Jeon Jin-soo of SuperLabs gave lectures on startup and emerging tech trends observed at CES 2025.
Former CEO Jeon Jin-soo, an expert in spatial computing, remarked, "Ten years ago, Eureka Park was just a small zone where small companies gathered. This year, however, it has transformed into a large-scale battleground with over 1,300 startups participating." He noted that it was interesting to see how companies that started small grew, expanded their exhibition spaces, and moved to different halls over time.
Jeon pointed out, "At Eureka Park, AI technology was embedded in almost every device on display—it was actually difficult to find products without AI. This event clearly highlighted the rise of Chinese companies that can manufacture such devices quickly and at low costs."
He also mentioned that "Age Tech" and "Longevity," which address how to live longer and healthier lives, were key themes at CES. "There were many technologies focused on not just extending life but improving its quality, such as assistive robots, spoons designed to help with low-sodium diets, and glass-type hearing aids. It was particularly gratifying to see Korean companies excelling in this field," he added.
CEO Choi Hyung-uk shared his perspective on the future changes in CES. "The Central Hall is home to the most influential companies, and this year, it felt like a major shift was taking place. Samsung, Sony, and LG always appear at the entrance of the Central Hall—they are still doing well, but their presence was far from groundbreaking," he observed.
He also noted, "I sensed that Chinese companies are making a comeback in both the Central and North Halls. The absence of high-tech Chinese firms in the U.S. market is not due to a lack of technology but rather restrictions on their entry. With a struggling domestic market, China is once again focusing on global expansion." He added, "The key question is how our companies can maintain their competitive edge and continue to create added value in this increasingly competitive landscape."
Professor Joo Young-sup expressed concerns about the competitiveness of Korean companies. "Samsung, Hyundai, and LG are making great technological advancements, but there are concerns about their future industrial strategies," he stated.
He emphasized, "The old success formula of being a 'fast follower' no longer works. AI is crucial, but companies must dominate the 'Why?' behind their innovations." According to Joo, true industry leadership is only possible when a company can clearly articulate and dominate the purpose of its products—something he believes Korean companies lack.
He further explained, "Since 2023, CES has shifted from a technology-centric event to a purpose-driven theme of 'Human Security for All (HS4A).' To become a 'first mover,' companies must take ownership of the 'why.' We are now in an era where the paradigm must be completely redefined."
Professor Joo Young-sup giving his speech
Meanwhile, at the event, President Kim Dong-won of Korea University delivered the opening speech, while President Bonnie Lee of Hanmi Bank gave the welcome speech, marking the beginning of the event.
During the event, a networking session was also organized, allowing attendees to freely communicate and exchange ideas, which received a great response.
The event also provided a real-time translation service. Attendees were able to participate in the lectures and panel discussions while checking the translated text of English lectures into Korean and vice versa, using the platform developed by XL8, which offers real-time AI translation services. Chris Yeh, CEO of XL8, commented, "It was incredibly innovative to introduce such a service at an event targeting only Korean attendees. Thanks to this, we had the opportunity to experience a wide range of insights from Korean experts."
Son Jae-kwon, CEO of The Miilk, said, "Even in these challenging times in Korea, many people participated in CES2025 and K-Innovation Night to check out new business opportunities and technological trends." He added, "The Miilk also participated in CES2025 under the name 'Hope Expedition,' together with journalists, researchers, and experts from various fields."
Son further stated, "Amidst the paradigm shift triggered by the emergence of generative AI, fierce competition continues. The Miilk will do its best to provide practical insights and opportunities in the technology field, helping our companies achieve sustainable growth."
A participant is using the translation feature for an English lecture through the platform of XL8, a startup providing real-time AI translation services. (Picture from The Miilk)