AI 대전환과 로봇 밸류체인의 시대, 대한민국 재계의 명암과 과제 > K-wave Trends

The AI introduction strategy of the business world, led by Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, and LG Group, has now gone beyond security concerns and has entered the stage of complete business redesign. Even the semiconductor industry, which was closed in the past due to information leaks, is seeking to maximize efficiency by introducing externally generated AI such as ChatGPT into its work. Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong orders fundamental innovation in the organization, and SK Chairman Chey Tae-won defines AI as a matter of survival, with the heads of the company directly leading AX, showing how urgent this change is. LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo also selected AI as a core task for the CEO, and is trying to secure competitiveness through practical productivity innovation and restructuring of work methods beyond simple introduction of technology. This is the result of the fierce survival instinct of the business community that goes beyond simply using technology and seeks to create a new business model in which artificial intelligence and humans collaborate.

LG Group's recent actions are considered a representative example of a harmonious combination of technological achievements and market expectations. In particular, ‘Physical AI’ technology, led by LG Electronics, holds an unrivaled position in the robot market by combining vast life data obtained from home appliances with manufacturing capabilities. The anticipation of cooperation with NVIDIA, which became apparent after the meeting with Jensen Huang, served as a driving force to raise the stock prices of LG affiliates, and this was the result of successful vertical integration from the robot's brain to key driving components such as actuators. In addition, LG Energy Solution's final victory in a patent dispute with China's Xinwangda and securing technological rights is an important achievement that solidifies the principle of 'fair compensation for technological innovation' in the global market. These technological advantages and strategic alliances are playing a decisive role in helping LG throw off the shackles of undervaluation it has received in the market and take the lead in future industries.

Behind technological innovation, there are also heavy tasks of social responsibility and labor issues that companies must shoulder. The recent incident in which the user-friendly nature of the primary contract for workers at LG U+'s subsidiaries and partner companies was recognized foreshadows that the impact of the Yellow Envelope Act will begin in earnest throughout the telecommunications industry. This suggests that the obligation to negotiate with subcontractor unions may be extended to main contractors, and calls for a new approach to employment structure and labor environment in corporate management. In addition, the overall decline in the ratings of large telecommunications companies in the evaluation of user protection work proves that user trust and efforts to relieve damage are still insufficient compared to the speed of technology introduction and service expansion. Companies are at a critical crossroads where they must achieve balanced growth by protecting consumers' rights and interests and seeking coexistence with workers even in a rapidly changing technological environment.

Technological changes that have penetrated deeply into our daily lives have even changed the lifestyles of consumers. As shown in the LG ThinQ app data analysis, the air conditioner operation period is being moved forward by more than three weeks every year, showing that smart home technology has become an essential part of modern people's lives in conjunction with climate change. Additionally, the down-to-earth appearance of CEOs has become a hot topic on social media, and while robots and AI are changing the industrial landscape, human vitality, such as passionate competition in sports stadiums, still captures the public's attention. This complex environment, where technology, humans, and companies and society are intertwined, teaches companies that ‘making good technology’ is no longer enough. The ability to read consumers' lifestyle patterns in detail, flexibly resolve social conflicts, and connect technological achievements to the lives of citizens will be the true competitiveness of future companies.