[Inside Chodong] Who Is 'Technological Innovation' For?

Technology Without Philosophy: Losing Direction
Without Asking "What and Who Is This Technology For?"
There Is No Sustainability

"Our role is to lay the groundwork and cheer on companies that are leading humanity’s innovation so they can grow even faster."

This is what an executive from Nvidia said in a recent conversation. At a time when Korean companies are struggling to survive in the global competition, this perspective felt like a refreshing wake-up call. The goal is not simply to manufacture superior components (semiconductor chips), but to establish themselves as enablers that help innovative companies grow. It can be interpreted as a commitment to becoming a 'value-creating' company that contributes to solving humanity’s most difficult challenges and building a better future. This also reflects a philosophy of seeing customers not just as consumers, but as partners. This approach is fundamentally different from the semiconductor industry’s typical focus on sales and technological competitiveness above all else. While we worry about technology development and market share, they are asking the fundamental question: "Who is this technology for?"

In a corporate culture that prioritizes survival and performance in global competition, such questions may seem like a luxury. For Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, which must protect profitability amidst slowing demand and supply chain instability, this may sound somewhat removed from their reality. However, we have now entered an era where companies must go beyond simple technology development and production, and consider creating social value and sustainability through technology. Nvidia’s philosophy is not just idealism; it is an extension of strategic thinking aimed at securing corporate sustainability and market competitiveness.

At this moment, it is important for our industrial sector to deeply reflect on the message Nvidia has delivered. Technology without philosophy can easily lose its direction. Technology developed without considering what it is for, or who it is meant to serve, cannot guarantee sustainability. It is also difficult to secure the strong momentum needed to reach the pinnacle of technological achievement. The identity of semiconductor companies is now expanding beyond simple manufacturing to include services and technology partnerships. What is required is not just making products, but realizing the technology customers want in the optimal way and, through this, building a better future together.

In the past, the founders of Samsung and SK, the two pillars of Korea’s semiconductor industry, had a firm philosophy of contributing to the nation through their companies. The late Lee Byung-chul, founder of Samsung Group, emphasized the philosophy of "business patriotism," meaning repaying the country through business. The late Choi Jong-gun, founder of SK Group, also made it his management philosophy to contribute to the national economy based on the belief that "the company must grow first for the people to prosper."

However, as times have changed, our industrial sector seems to be in a transitional period marked by a "vacuum of philosophy." Unlike in the past, there is no clear philosophy regarding the direction companies should pursue or the value they should create. Just as Nvidia has established itself as a company that supports innovation beyond technology itself, our companies must also reestablish a fundamental philosophy and set their direction based on it. Sustainable growth cannot be achieved by technological prowess alone. A clear vision of what that technology ultimately seeks to accomplish is essential. Such a philosophy may well become the driving force that allows our companies to take the next leap forward.