Sunghee Yun

Co-founder & CTO @ Erudio Bio, Inc., KFAS-Salzburg Global Leadership Initiative Fellow @ Salzburg Global Seminar, Adjunct Professor @ Sogang University, Advisory Professor @ DGIST

posted: 29-Oct-2024 & updated: 29-Oct-2024

KFAS-Salzburg Global Leadership Initiative Fellows

Technology, Growth, and Inequality: The Case of AI

The advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been a double-edged sword in terms of economic growth and societal inequality. While AI has significantly contributed to productivity improvements and innovation, leading to economic growth, it has also exacerbated income and wealth disparities. Studies indicate that AI-driven automation favors high-skill over low- skill labor, leading to a polarized job market and widening the income gap. According to the World Economic Forum, AI and automation are set to create 58 million new jobs by 2022, but the distribution of these opportunities often reflects existing inequalities. Furthermore, AI’s impact on inequality is global, with developed nations harnessing more benefits than developing countries, potentially widening the global digital divide

members

Co-Chair: Chang-Dong Yoo hp - Professor, Korea Advance Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)

  • Carolina Chambel - International Cooperation Officer, Techo International, Portugal
  • Chi-Min Oh - DPhil Student, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
  • Ieva Keskine - Gender Equality, Disability Inclusion and Intersectionality Consultant, UN Women, Lithuania
  • Jake Effoduh - Assistant Professor, Lincoln Alexander School of Law, Canada
  • Kun Lee - PhD Research Associate, Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research and Luxembourg Income Study Cross-National Data Center, Republic of Korea
  • Shaurya Patel - Policy Officer, Delegation of the European Union to India, India
  • Sunghee Yun - Co-founder and CTO - AI Technology & Product Strategy, Erudio Bio, Inc., Adjunct Professor, Sogang University, Advisory Professor, DGIST, United States of America

Big Tech and Governance: Market Power and Regulation

The dominance of Big Tech companies in global markets has raised significant governance and regulatory concerns. These entities, including Amazon, Google, Facebook, Apple, and Microsoft, have amassed considerable market power, influencing economies, societies, and even political processes. The European Union has been at the forefront of regulating these giants, implementing the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) to protect consumer data. Additionally, there’s a growing call for antitrust actions to curb their market dominance, as seen in the U.S. with the House Judiciary Committee’s investigation into Big Tech’s market power. This tension highlights the challenge of governing entities that transcend national borders and have the power to influence both the economy and the information ecosystem.

members

Co-Chair: Sanghyun Lee - Director, Google, Singapore

  • Aditi Chaturvedi - Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy for Platforms and Devices, Google, India

  • Alexia Tassios - Senior Public Policy Analyst, Deloitte, Australia
  • Ayako Hatano - PhD Candidate, University of Oxford, Japan
  • Steve Park - Senior Director and Head of Asia-Pacific Public Policy, Roblox, Republic of Korea
  • Deeksha Goel - Deputy Director, India Foundation, India
  • Hyeyeon Park - Assistant Manager, Chey Institute for Advanced Studies, Republic of Korea
  • Kevin Wei - Technology and Security Policy Fellow, Harvard Law School, United States of America
  • MinChi Park - Head of Business Development, HyperPlay, Republic of Korea

Technology Ecosystem: Talent and Innovation

The talent flow in the technology ecosystem is characterized by a global migration towards innovation hubs. Silicon Valley, for instance, draws skilled professionals from around the world, contributing to its dynamism and diversity. However, this flow also creates challenges for countries losing talents, often referred to as ‘brain drain,’ impacting their potential for innovation and economic development. In response, countries and regions are developing new industrial policies to cultivate their innovation ecosystems. These policies range from investments in education and research to creating favorable tax and regulatory environments to attract startups and tech companies.

members

Co-Chair: Daeyeol Lee - Bloomberg Distinguished Professor, Johns Hopkins University, United States of America

  • Eunbee Jang - Responsible AI Architect, Telus Corporation, Republic of Korea
  • Gowun Kim - Advisor, Embassy of Denmark, Republic of Korea
  • Jasvin Bhasin - Founder and CEO, bridge.the.NEXT( ), Germany
  • Pauline Yeung - Author, Hong Kong University Business School, China, Hong Kong SAR
  • Pedro A. Gonzalez - Tech Entrepreneur, Mentor, Developer, Kaanbal, Mexico
  • You Won Park - Program Manager, Choi Jong-hyun Academy, Republic of Korea
  • Yuki Satake - MBA Student, IE business school, Japan

Economic Security: Technology Competition and Weaponization of Tech

The competition in technology, especially in fields like AI, cybersecurity, and telecommunications (e.g., 5G), has become a pivotal aspect of global economic security. Nations are increasingly viewing technological advancement as a strategic asset, leading to the weaponization of technology in geopolitical conflicts. The U.S.-China tech rivalry, encompassing issues from trade to technology transfer and the race for 5G supremacy, illustrates this trend. This competition raises concerns about the fragmentation of global tech standards and the emergence of ‘tech blocs,’ potentially hindering global innovation and cooperation.

members

Co-Chair: Helen Zhang - Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of Eric Schmidt, United States of America

  • Eugene Yi - Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Loci, United States of America
  • Jung Woo Lee - Technical Director, Immerse, Republic of Korea
  • Marisa McPherson - Program Officer, National Committee on North Korea, United States of America
  • Minseung Kim - Program Manager, Chey Institute for Advanced Studies, Republic of Korea
  • Neville Lai - International Affairs Strategist, Independent, Hong Kong SAR
  • Jennifer Lee - Principal, The Asia Group, United States of America
  • Sun Young Park - Emerging Leaders Fellowship Coordinator, Hawaii Asia Pacific Institute, United States of America
  • Sungyeon Park - PhD Student, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Hungary

Technology and Sustainable Development

The relationship between technology and the environment is complex, as technological advancements can both harm and help sustainable practices. On one hand, technologies like blockchain and AI offer innovative solutions to environmental monitoring, energy efficiency, and resource management, potentially aiding in the fight against climate change. On the other hand, the production and disposal of electronic devices pose significant environmental challenges, highlighting the need for sustainable manufacturing practices and circular economy principles. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) emphasize the role of technology in achieving environmental sustainability, calling for a balanced approach that harnesses technology’s potential while mitigating its ecological impact.

members

Co-Chair: Clare Shine - Non-Executive Director, The Crown Estate, United Kingdom

  • Bittna Lee - Consultant, UNDP Republic of South Korea
  • Clarity Mapengo - Lecturer, Teesside University, United Kingdom
  • Felipe Suárez Giri - Marie Skodowska-Curie Doctoral Fellow, Polytechnic University of Madrid, Uruguay
  • Hong Xu - Research Fellow, The Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, China
  • Jehan Salim - Project Manager, UNDP , Canada
  • Jongwon Lim - Graduate Research Assistant, UIUC, Republic of Korea