In the world of trends forecasting, one name stands out: Kim Ran-do. Kim, a professor from Seoul National University, has recently unveiled his latest predictions for 2024 in his popular book series “Trend Korea.” In this edition, subtitled “Dragon Eyes,” Kim emphasizes the crucial role that humans play in utilizing artificial intelligence technologies.
The term “Dragon Eyes” stems from an ancient Chinese saying that underscores the significance of completing the final step of any task. Kim explains this concept using the analogy of a painter who chose not to paint eyes on his dragons until questioned about it. The painter revealed that once the eyes were completed, the dragons would soar into the heavens. The dragons without eyeballs, however, remained merely paintings on the wall.
Expanding on this metaphor, “Trend Korea 2024” argues that while artificial intelligence technologies like ChatGPT are advancing rapidly, they still require human direction to reach their full potential. According to Kim, human-AI collaboration is not just desirable, but inevitable. With major players like Microsoft making AI more accessible to the public, he predicts that AI integration into society will become widespread. However, he emphasizes the need to prioritize humans in this partnership.
“Humans must understand their own positions and capabilities as well as the AI mechanism in order to create synergy,” Kim explains. “It can be cultivated through an in-depth understanding of history and philosophy.”
But Kim’s predictions for 2024 don’t stop there. In a chapter titled “Don’t Waste a Single Second,” he forecasts that time will gain even greater value in the coming years. He argues that the traditional possessive economy is giving way to an experiential economy, where time holds more value than money. Kim attributes this shift to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that people have come to recognize the importance of time after experiencing flexible work schedules during lockdowns.
This change, Kim says, will also have significant implications for businesses. He advises companies to focus on competing for consumer attention rather than their money. “The ability to capture and retain consumer attention will become a critical success factor,” he advises. In practical terms, this means ensuring time precision for delivery services, right down to the minute. Only those companies that can provide up-to-the-minute services, such as local delivery service Baemin and taxi-hailing service Kakao T, will be able to improve customer satisfaction and stay ahead of the competition.
Kim also raises a concern about society’s obsession with perfection. He introduces the concept of the “hexagonal human,” explaining how people relentlessly pursue perfection in every aspect of life, measuring themselves against various societal components such as education, appearance, housing, and even family background. Kim warns that this blind pursuit of perfection could lead to social collapse.
This phenomenon is exacerbated by social media platforms such as Instagram, where people constantly compare themselves to others. Kim argues that these comparisons only increase people’s expectations for their own life standards, which, he believes, contributes to the declining marriage rate.
Aside from these thought-provoking predictions, “Trend Korea 2024” also touches on bandwagon consumption and the care-service economy. With its wide-ranging insights, this book is sure to provide a comprehensive understanding of the emerging trends that will shape 2024.
Even more exciting, “Trend Korea 2024” will now be available in English, making it accessible to a global audience. Kim Ran-do’s forecasts are not to be missed for those seeking a deeper dive into the world of trends and their impact on society.
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