'AI sapiens era is inevitable, and education will determine its future'

Choi Jae-boong, professor of mechanical engineering at Sungkyunkwan University, says humans are evolving into “AI sapiens,” a new type of being that uses artificial intelligence (AI) as a natural extension of the mind, and education will determine how bright a future humanity can build in this new era. Choi wrote the 2019 book “Phono Sapiens,” which popularized in Korea the idea that smartphones had become indispensable to modern life. He expanded the concept to AI in his 2024 book “AI Sapiens,” which explores how humans using AI could reshape industrial structures and usher in a new civilization. Widely regarded as an expert in applied AI science and a tech futurist who studies how emerging technologies will reshape our society, Choi told The Korea Times that humanity has always chosen tools that improve its chances of survival and sought ways to accomplish more with less effort. “It ultimately comes down to whether something is essential for survival,” Choi said. “Fire, agriculture and warfare all gave humanity a decisive advantage in survival, and we have never given