KISTI Highlights the "Power of Reading" in the AI Era 

- KISTI President Sik Lee and University of Oxford Professor Jieun Joe Kiaer deliver special lectures

- ‘Bridging the gap from "How Computers Read the World" to "Why We Must Still Read"

□ The Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (President Sik Lee, hereafter KISTI) announced that it held a science culture program titled "Two Languages, One Future" for local parents and students at its headquarters in Daejeon on August 13.

□ As AI rapidly diffuses across daily life, education, and research, the event was organized to foster a dual understanding of both computer languages and human language, while reflecting on the intrinsic value of human thought and literacy. 

□ In the first lecture, KISTI President Sik Lee presented on the topic "How Computers Read the World," introducing the underlying principles of how AI interprets information in an engaging manner.

□ President Lee explained that computers convert all real-world information—including text, images, and sounds—into numbers for processing, and that AI can converse naturally with humans by learning patterns from vast datasets. He emphasized the importance of critical thinking in the AI era, stating, "While humans can readily absorb information summarized by AI, the experience of thinking deeply or imagining diverse worlds through actual reading cannot be replicated by AI." 

□ In the second lecture, Professor Jieun Joe Kiaer of the University of Oxford presented on the topic "Why We Must Still Read," addressing the value of literacy in the AI era.

□ Professor Kiaer stressed that as AI provides information with increasing speed, human literacy, specifically the ability to interpret meaning and think critically becomes even more paramount. She explained, "The power of language stems from interaction," adding that experiencing diverse languages and cultures through reading, conversation, and real-world experiences expands the horizon of thought and empowers individuals to generate new meaning.

□ Originating from the question "How do computers read the world?" and progressing to "Why must we still read?", the two lectures offered participants an opportunity to contemplate the role of humanity and the enduring value of literacy in the AI era.

□ Following the lectures, attendees toured the Supercomputing Exhibition Hall and "Nurion," the nation's 5th supercomputer, gaining a firsthand look at how national supercomputing infrastructure supports AI research. 

□ KISTI President Sik Lee stated, "While AI has now advanced to read and explain the world, interpreting deeper meaning and creating new value remains uniquely human. I hope this program serves as an opportunity not only to understand AI, but also to reflect on the value of human cognition and reading."