"Can AI Forget?" Seoul National University Shifts Toward Question-Centered Research

[Anchor]

Seoul National University (SNU) has announced its transition into a "question-centered research university" that proactively identifies humanity's greatest challenges and seeks solutions. The university has also unveiled six core questions that our society must address through collective intelligence.

Reporter Jeongyeon has the story.

[Reporter]

Seoul National University has officially begun its transformation into a question-centered research university.

The university believes that "challenging questions" that shake conventional wisdom and common sense can bring about fundamental changes to society and knowledge systems. In particular, it views question-centered research as the future direction of education that universities should pursue as pioneers in the era of artificial intelligence.

Eighteen professors from various fields have selected six core questions for the future of humanity and society.

The questions include AI-related topics such as, "Are democracy and capitalism sustainable in the age of artificial intelligence?" as well as inquiries into life and sustainability, such as, "Can we control the clock of life?"

[Lee Jeong-dong / Head of the SNU Grand Quest Initiative Research Group: These are questions for which there are no clear academic answers yet. They also reflect a will to solve the most difficult problems facing Korean society. Furthermore, we strived to select questions that, if answered, could provide solutions for the future of humanity as well.]

Since 2023, SBS and the SBS Foundation have supported this research, sharing in SNU's critical perspective, and have jointly hosted the "SBS X Grand Quest" forum.

Seoul National University plans to convert the questions selected this year into actual research projects starting in the second half of this year, aiming to create a circular research ecosystem that spreads achievements and experiences.

(Video coverage: Park Jin-ho | Video editing: Park Chun-bae | Graphics: Kim Min-young)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.