5th Digital Transformation Megatrend Conference (detail)

※ URL (Korean): https://www.kisdi.re.kr/bbs/view.do?bbsSn=114804&key=m2101113056011&pageIndex=1&sc=&sw=&selectedYear=2025

5th Digital Transformation Megatrend Conference Held

○ Date and Time: December 4, 2025 (Thu), 10:00–17:00
○ Venue: Post Tower Conference Hall, Seoul · Live-streamed on KISDI YouTube (http://kisdi-megatrend.com)
○ Host: Ministry of Science and ICT
○ Organizer: Korea Information Society Development Institute (KISDI)

The Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Information Society Development Institute (KISDI, President Sangkyu Rhee) held the 5th Digital Transformation Megatrend Conference on December 4 at Post Tower in Seoul.
The conference presented research outcomes jointly conducted over the past year with nine academic societies: the Korean Academic Society of Business Administration, the Korean Institute of Communications and Information Sciences, the Korea Information and Communications Policy Association, the Korean Sociological Association, the Korean Political Science Association, the Korean Association for Public Administration, the Korean Association for Policy Studies, the Korea Information Science Society, and the Institute of Electronics and Information Engineers. Under the theme “The Future Discovered through AI: Our Prepared Vision,” the conference examined future directions for Korea amid rapid AI-driven transformation.

In the keynote presentation, Moon Aram, Fellow at KISDI, synthesized future signals identified from structured and unstructured data and from expert and citizen foresight to present four megatrends expected to reshape Korea’s economy and society by 2035: agentification, multinodalization, post-truth dynamics, and physical convergence. Agentification refers to the evolution of AI from a tool into an autonomous actor capable of decision-making and action. Multinodalization describes the multilayered fragmentation of global networks driven by technological hegemony and AI sovereignty. Post-truth dynamics refer to the blurring of boundaries between truth and falsehood due to AI-generated information, with reconstructed information functioning as truth. Physical convergence denotes the evolution of AI into embodied interaction with physical environments.

The study also examined future scenarios developed through participation by citizens and experts. It assessed that Korean society currently follows a “market-led competitive society” pathway and presented an institutional vision for transitioning toward an “AI cooperative prosperity society.” Based on the axes of innovation leadership and resource allocation, four scenarios for 2035 were identified: an AI cooperative prosperity society (universal AI use, human-led innovation), an AI market-led competitive society (exclusive AI use, human-led innovation), an AI techno-centric society (exclusive AI use, AI-led innovation), and an AI state-managed stability society (state-led management, AI-led innovation).

At present, both citizens and experts assessed Korea as a market-led competitive AI society and expressed concern that this trajectory may persist or partially shift toward a techno-centric scenario over the next decade. When asked about a preferred future, both groups most frequently selected an AI cooperative prosperity society (citizens 35.1 percent; experts 81.4 percent). Citizens showed more dispersed preferences than experts, while both groups identified the techno-centric scenario as the least desirable future (citizens 52.6 percent; experts 81.4 percent). Discussions with 28 citizens also indicated the need for policy responses combining market dynamism with public value to bridge the gap between current conditions and preferred futures.

The study emphasized institutional change as a pathway for linking technological advancement with social progress. It set three objectives for achieving the preferred future: sharing the value of innovation, ensuring universal transition capacity, and building sustainable trust. It also discussed the need for new institutional designs capable of overcoming path dependency and aligning with the pace of technological change.

The conference presented six agenda items for implementing new institutional frameworks identified by nine academic societies and 43 experts: innovation and fairness in AI-driven industrial transformation; public value and sustainability of AI resources; support for skills development and stability in the transition of work; fair redistribution of contributions and virtuous cycles of wealth; development of AI-literate citizens based on universal competencies; and open decision-making structures grounded in cooperation.

Following the keynote, a panel discussion titled “The Future Discovered through AI: Our Prepared Vision” was moderated by Jung Eon Kim, Executive Vice President of KISDI. Presidents of the nine academic societies participated and discussed opportunities and risks arising from AI transformation, as well as the need for interdisciplinary research and social consensus to foster a cooperative future in which technology and institutions evolve together.

In the afternoon sessions, in-depth discussions were held by theme. Session II, titled “Redesigning AI-Driven Innovation and Growth Structures,” examined approaches to sustainable growth in the AI transition period. Presenters Song Jihee (University of Seoul), Yang Sungbyung (Kyung Hee University), Lee Inkyu (Korea University), and Jaeyoung Jang, Associate Fellow at KISDI, reviewed technological foundations such as empirical analyses of firm performance in AI adoption, digital asset ecosystems, and next-generation communications and quantum infrastructure strategies, and presented policy simulation results addressing growth polarization.

Session III, “An Inclusive AI Society for Integration and Recovery,” examined ways to preserve human values amid technological development. Yoo Seongjin (Ewha Womans University) and Im Woontaek (Keimyung University) discussed democratic resilience in the algorithmic era and strategies to protect labor markets from shocks. Yeon Sora, Associate Fellow at KISDI, and Jung Wook MOON, Director at KISDI, examined AI’s potential to strengthen social cohesion and the public sector’s role in addressing inequality.

Session IV, “Future Governance Based on AI Transformation,” addressed institutional and technological foundations for future society. Yoon Geon (Hanshin University) and Nam Taewoo (Sungkyunkwan University) presented perspectives on human-centered AI welfare ecosystems and public data governance strategies. Kim Hyun (Seoul National University of Science and Technology) and Song Giltae (Pusan National University) discussed low-carbon AI semiconductor innovation and responses to the AGI era. Hwihong Kim, Associate Fellow at KISDI, explored AI’s emerging legal subjectivity and its implications for future governance frameworks.

In closing remarks, KISDI President Sangkyu Rhee stated that insights shared with the nine academic societies and participating experts would serve as an important reference point for Korea in the AI transition period. He noted that the proposed megatrends and policy suggestions would contribute to social consensus on national AI strategies and agendas and that KISDI would continue to support related efforts.

The conference was conducted in a hybrid format. Conference recordings and materials are available through the KISDI YouTube channel and the official conference website.

KISDI Media Room

5th Digital Transformation Megatrend Conference