"Presenting Direction in the Era of Digital Transformation" ICT Industry Outlook Conference Starts Today

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Jo] The Ministry of Science and ICT announced that it will hold the '2022 ICT Industry Outlook Conference' both online and offline over two days starting from the 4th, to discuss future society ICT prospects and future policy measures.

Marking its 21st anniversary this year, the conference is held under the theme "Digital Transformation, Future through Innovation." On the first day, the 4th, various domestic and international ICT experts from fields such as technology, society, and economy participated to deliver a total of eight lectures in three areas: ▲future outlook, ▲major issues and trends, ▲and 2022 ICT outlook.

The lectures began with ‘2022 ICT Innovation’ by Professor Catherine Melehnuk of Singularity University, co-author of 'Abundance: The Future' and known as one of the '7 Technology Masters to Watch Carefully' (selected by CNN). Following this, Professor Young-Tae Cho of Seoul National University, known as an expert in population policy and forecasting, presented ‘Population Changes and ICT Needs,’ and Director Heung-Jong Kim of the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy delivered a presentation on 'Global Transformation and Digital Trade.'

Professor Nando Kim of Seoul National University, who has annually presented new trends for Korea, gave a presentation titled 'Trend Korea 2022: Implications for the ICT Industry.'

Robotics expert Professor Dennis Hong of UCLA gave a lecture titled ‘Do Robots Have to Look Like Humans?’, and economic YouTuber Shuka World presented on ‘The Era of Digital Transformation, the Changing World and Us.’

Director Ho-Yeol Kwon of the Korea Information Society Development Institute (KISDI) presented on ‘Changes in the External Environment and Prospects for Our ICT,’ discussing the steady growth of the domestic ICT market and export outlook despite the prolonged COVID-19 situation. Lastly, Hyung-Don Moon, Director of the Institute for Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation (IITP), identified the ‘Top 10 ICT Issues of 2021’ as ①Metaverse, ②Space, ③Robots, ④Artificial Intelligence (AI), ⑤Mobility, ⑥Networks, ⑦Cloud, ⑧New Management (ESG), ⑨Innovation and Coexistence, and ⑩De-monopolization.

On the second day, the 5th, in-depth discussions will be held on the current status of the ICT industry leading the digital transformation era, the changed aspects of the economy, society, and our lives, and the future role and response measures of ICT.

In the morning, under the themes ‘Future of Digital Transformation’ and ‘The Era of Digital Capital,’ in-depth discussions will be conducted on industrial, technological, and environmental changes brought about by the digital transformation triggered by the Fourth Industrial Revolution. In the afternoon, under the themes ‘Advancement of Digital Intelligence,’ ‘Expansion of the Digital Virtual Economy,’ and ‘Spread of Digital Convergence,’ discussions will focus on ICT directions, industrial environment, and future preparedness.

Through a welcoming speech, Deputy Minister Kyung-Sik Cho of the Ministry of Science and ICT stated, “Despite the global COVID-19 crisis, the Korean economy has led global innovation centered on advanced ICT industries such as semiconductors, ultra-high-speed internet, and 5G, and this is largely due to the efforts of ICT industry workers,” adding, “The government will continue to actively support the innovative development of the ICT industry through the steady implementation of digital new deal policies.”