[In-Depth Review] The Integrity Underlying Technological Advancement

Dongchul Kim, Ph.D. in Engineering · Advisor at Bespin Global

According to behavioral economics, most people do not always make the best decisions when making choices. Even those considered intelligent repeatedly make irrational choices, which is not a fault but a reality. The big data approach collects and analyzes the opinions of the public making these decisions as data. Because of this, there is a joke that big data helps avoid making the best decisions. Artificial intelligence (AI) is not much different. AI, based on current phenomena, is similarly limited. In other words, if people collectively make wrong decisions, AI dangerously accepts them as facts.

Several years ago, the IT industry was abuzz with a new technology called blockchain. Where would this technology be best applied? Could it be used to make money? Such discussions were actively publicized. Now, after a few years, the mydata business utilizing personal information has begun, and blockchain technology can be used there. However, ordinary people uninterested in IT likely understand blockchain primarily as various cryptocurrencies.

Cryptocurrency is a means of transaction in the underground economy. Ransom payments to kidnappers and recovery costs after hacking are mostly transacted in cryptocurrency. As cryptocurrency became active, not only did the value of crime-earned assets increase, but the places where it could be used expanded infinitely. We should consider whether most law-abiding citizens are aware that they are investing in the activation of the underground economy. Is this a side effect of new technology? Or is it a social cost that must be paid inevitably with technological advancement?

Technological development does not necessarily need to be linked to the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Successful entrepreneurs dedicate their lives to new technologies and ideas. Phil Knight, founder of Nike, tells a dramatic story of founding and developing Nike in his autobiography Shoe Dog (2016). In the process of making quality shoes to compete with Japan’s Asics and Germany’s Adidas, he got ideas from a waffle iron and accepted the crazy idea of adding air pockets to the soles. During the company’s growth, Nike was sued by Asics and faced bankruptcy threats due to cash flow shortages and bank payment refusals. Each time, Phil chose the straightforward approach with truth as his weapon, rising to the ranks of global business leaders. With a slight exaggeration, one might think that Nike stands between the feet of the world and the Earth.

Technological advancement begins at the level of foundational research papers but can be distorted into weapons for lethal purposes or technologies that plunge society into chaos during commercialization. The slogan "Back to basics" means not forgetting the original good intentions. In companies, salespeople might achieve goals through shortcuts like pushy sales tactics and get promoted quickly, but if such behavior becomes problematic, it endangers the entire company. This is because they did not follow the basic training taught to salespeople.

If new technology is used to manage customers commercially and convey a sincere desire for their success, a win-win is possible even if progress is slow. It is easier in this world to hide the truth than to reveal it using new technology. However, before causing bigger problems like improper sales practices, it has become urgent to reflect on one’s original intentions.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.