[Namsan Stroll] If Confucius Met AI

'Husaenggawe (後生可畏·The younger generation is to be revered)'.

This phrase from the Analects is often interpreted as a call to respect the new generation. There is also an economic and social perspective. It relates to the turbulent times of Confucius's Spring and Autumn Period, when society was transitioning from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age. In today's terms, it is a sense of awe toward the younger generation, armed with new technologies during an industrial revolution. However, Confucius added a condition: "If someone is over forty or fifty and still has not made a name for themselves, they are not worthy of respect."

If Confucius were to face today's era of artificial intelligence (AI), what would he say? Perhaps he would marvel, calling it 'AI Gawe' (AI is to be revered). I am curious what kind of condition he would attach. Just as he contrasted teacher and student, perhaps he would contrast artificial intelligence (AI) and human intellect (HI). I imagine Confucius might have said, "AI is impressive and worthy of admiration, but if it only connects things without seeing the context, there is no need to be in awe of it, as a tool is just a tool."

If the 'gong (工)' in 'artificial' literally means 'tool', then the 'gan (間)' in 'human' focuses on 'relationship' and 'context'. The difference between human intellect and artificial intelligence is not about speed, but about 'context'. AI is fast. It can present thousands of options in an instant. It can show you the routes to take, but setting your current starting point and future destination, and ultimately choosing between the fastest and the right path, is up to humans. Recently, a student at Columbia University in the United States sparked controversy by creating an AI application called 'Cluely' that helps with cheating during job interviews. The student claimed to have passed a technical interview at a big tech company by using this tool, which generates instant answers to interview questions. Shortly after, fellow students at the same university developed a detection solution called 'Truely' to prevent such cheating. One side created a shortcut to bypass rules, while the other developed a tool to uphold and monitor those rules.

This case, where AI’s lack of ethics was countered by AI’s ethical use, demonstrates that "AI provides possibilities, but does not determine direction." Another study highlights the importance of context. People tend to trust AI's objectivity and prefer positive feedback, but they distrust negative feedback, fearing what might be inside the 'black box.' This shows the need for a process that explains the context and the full story.

AI’s advance is unstoppable and cannot be competed with; we must collaborate with it. That makes GPS intelligence all the more necessary. If I could call GPT a 'Grand Productivity Tool,' then I would like to define GPS as 'Grounded Purpose-Perspective taking-Stewardship.' First, G stands for 'Grounded Purpose.' Even if there are many paths, why choose this one? Standards and purposes must be set by humans. We must be firmly rooted in organizational mission, customer value, and community philosophy. It is important to prioritize 'meaning' over 'speed.' Second, P stands for 'Perspective taking.' AI reads data, but not context. The synergy that comes from reading emotions and dynamics-turning 1+1 into 10-is a uniquely human trait. Third, S stands for 'Stewardship.' As seen above, AI is fast but lacks moral judgment. Leaders must base their decisions on data, but also filter them through ethics and justice. Balancing between people and technology is not the role of artificial intelligence, but of human intellect. Where is our GPS pointing-not in the future, but right now, today?

Kim Sunghoe, CEO Leadership Research Institute Director / Coaching Management Institute Coach