AI technology, Blessing or Disaster?

           I guess all of you have heard about the historical GO match, held in this year March, between Lee Se-dol, the skillful pro go player, and AlphaGo. The glorious victory of this match belongs to Alphago which is computer program using AI technology. People was shocked and AI technology became more popular in public. AI is abbreviation of “Artificial intelligence” which refers to “Intelligence exhibited by machines. In computer science, an ideal “intelligent” machine is a flexible rational agent that perceives its environment and takes actions that maximize its chance of success at some goal.” Since AI is high-technology and recently developed, there are contrary expectations. Whether it is good or bad, AI technology is becoming a reality for us. Major companies around the world are researching and develop products using AI, even about to release.

           Some argue that using AI technology can enhance our quality of life. First expected altered technology of AI is personal assistant system. Movie named “Her,” released in 2013 is about future society where AI technology is prevalent. This is not fiction anymore. Experts are predicting to become this kind of technology will become reality very soon. With smart tech personal assistant we will be able to manage our work in faster, more convenient ways. Not only programmed AI, AI with robot is another expected area. Adapting AI technology in to robot should be watched. It is like giving physical body for the most smarted program. Experts are expecting this AI robot to realize welfare society. While the number of single elderly households is increasing, people who care them are not enough. In these circumstances, AI robot, which can deal with almost every activity of human, can be actual, direct help in their daily life.

           On the other hand, some people concern about this dazzling development of technology. They admit the amazing ability of AI technology and their worry starts here. They insist that the more we create smarter technology, the less human jobs will be. Appearance of AI, medical department is already in a tension. According to experiment done by using AI program to diagnose patient, AI diagnosed diseases more accurately than doctors. Not only job opportunities but also ethical problem will be rise. Is AI could consider as independent organism? Though exaggerated, some people object to AI technology, anticipating that the future of robot thinking and acting like humans will come. Also, because it is highly developed technology, if this technology used in dangerous field, such as war weapon, it can be a severe threat to humanity.

           Even now AI is still on its way of developing continually both internationally and nationally. Globally “Google,” which is developer of Alphago as well, is by far leader in AI technology. Their representative project using AI is “Self-driving car.” This car moves without any human driver instead they are driven by trained AI program. Google have made prototype of car in 2016 and is still developing its details. Also in Korea, “SK,” one of major telecommunication company is about to release AI program service named “NUGU” in public next year. “NUGU” is kind of personal assistant program that handles scheduling, music recommendation, automatic payment, etc. in a faster and convenient way. Beside those product mentioned above, companies are actively accepting the concept of AI.

           There is no doubt that the advent of AI technology is innovation. But like Stephen Hawking, one of notable scientist, once mentioned about AI as “possibilities to become both best technology ever and worst among humanity.” Since it is not fully refined popular technology, focusing on continual development is important but more important is to think this technology on various points of view such as ethical problem and war security problem, affecting job opportunities etc. Thinking carefully when using AI in appropriate position will definitely be blessing to our mankind.

One and Only Earth

         We are living in a most convenient and developed environment since the birth of civilization. However while enjoying remarkable progress, we destroyed a lot of natural resources we have. People started to worry about future and consider the concept of ‘sustainability’. ‘Sustainable’ which is origin of the word sustainability refers to “able to be use without being completely used up or destroy.” Mostly, sustainability deals with the problem of environment. Environmental problem must be considered first because we cannot live without it and also irreplaceable. Since this environmental problem is global issue, all world should try under one firm purpose to make better nature as government, as business, as individuals.

           Most general organization that affects whole country is government. Government’s attitude and action for environment problems are influential. They need to realize the seriousness of the problem and respond actively. One thing government can do is to make ecopolicy for both companies and individuals. For example, here in Korea we are forced by law to separate trash. This ecopolicy helps to recycle trash easily. Another example is that government supports companies financially when developing eco-friendly technology such as ‘R&Ds for electronic car’. It is important to make people act by law, but government should also try to inform people and make them act voluntarily and actively. They can use various media to educate people such as radios, News, TV ads, even with SNS or Youtubes.

           In capitalistic society we are living in, ‘Business’ is one of the most important elements in society. So their action plays a big role in environmental problem as well. Companies should know that by running their business eco-friendly not only make the Earth clean but also benefit them. Consumers today consider lots of aspect when choosing product, they consider the images of the company as well. For companies by doing eco-friendly action, their image will be enhanced and this would lead increased profit. Korean company named Yuhan-Kimberly which sells diaper, sanitary pad is a good example. They have planted trees in the country since 1984 and in 2014 they finally reached 50,000,000 trees. This continuous effort made customers to have credibility and this image of company positively affected to their product. Now in 2016, they are a front-runner of both diaper and sanitary pad market.

           Little drops of water make the mighty ocean. What we can infer in this sentence is that such big problem as environmental problem can solve throughout every individual’s effort. There are many offered instructions nowadays. All we need to do is have interest to our only Earth and be active, feel responsible for our act. Most essential natural resources for human’s survival are air, water. It is important to make ‘eco-friendly habit’ and become accustomed to ‘eco-friendly lifestyle’. By simply blocking our drain when washing hand or face can be one of eco-friendly habit to conserve water. Also, reducing usage of cars by walk short distance or use public transportation while moving can be both eco-friendly and healthy lifestyle.

           Earth is a one big organism. Like every organism does, they need to be cared. Unless they would be wounded become ill or even perish. Our future descendants will no longer get chance to live in beautiful Earth. For us to live in a safer, affluent life and for our offspring to live in a way that we have, we must start right now, right here by individuals, by entrepreneur, by government. Before it is too late, we all should try to preserve our beautiful cozy home.

The Martian, 2015

             Have you experienced total confinement in your life? It is unusual to experience for normal people even in Earth but the main character in this movie was stuck alone in the planet of Mars. About 80% of this movie’s background is mars and this place definitely plays key role in this movie. It emphasizes survival instinct of human and strong companionships among groups of theirs.

 

            One reason for Mars being indispensible factor of this movie is that it shows people’s strong survival instinct. There are some movies already deals with survival in isolated island such as ‘Cast Away’. However, this movie ‘The Martian’ is showing more of our survival instinct by choosing movie’s background by Mars. As we know, Mars is another planet of ours, there is not enough natural resources to live. These limited condition makes dramatic scenes in the movie. For instance, the main character is growing potatoes in the spacecraft by humans manure. Also, the main character is making all kinds of essential sources to survive including water and oxygens which is natural in Earth. Obviously, Mars which contains harsh and deserted environment shows strong survival instinct of human.

 

            Another reason for Mars being important factor is it stresses touching companionship among crews of spacecraft. The main character was working for NASA and left behind while their crew was exploring Mars for scientific research. While he was struggling to survive in Mars, movie also shows the rest of crews are also trying hard to rescue the main character. One of scene draws these strong connection is that despite of risk for dying, all of their crews decide to go back to Mars to save him. Also, there were some obstacles outside the space but they pulled through it well under one strong purpose to save their friend. This friendship could stand out because of Mars. If the place was easy to reach it won‘t be that dramatic. Because the Mars is very far from us and hard to get there, we could feel more touching companionships among them.

 

            There was no movie that deals with survival in place of Mars. This fact gave me freshness and also Mars in movie provided me chance to think about human’s survival instinct and friendship as well. As science develops and world environment are changing we might face more various dangerous situations like the main character. Like this movie says, it is important to keep two word ‘survive and friend’ in our minds.

 

 

 

Adapting Geo-tourism in Jeju Island

‘Honjeoopseoyea’. For Koreans this word would be familiar. It means welcome in Jeju’s local accent. Nevertheless, except for those few famous words, their original accent is so different from Korean standard langue, it is hard to understand for even Koreans. Likewise, not only languages, Jeju-island has something special on their own. This uniqueness is attracting a lot of tourists. It seems like tourists are helping jeju’s economy, but they are actually ruining it. However, adapting the concept of geo-tourism could be the key for enhancing Jeju’s economy. Specifically, the possible effect can be creating more jobs and developing various local-based industries.

One possible effect of putting geo-tourism in Jeju is that it could generate jobs for local people. Geo-tourism’s basic idea is based on their locals and workers for geo-tourism must understand locals well. On the other side, Jeju-island can satisfy those needs. Just like other cities, Jeju is also suffering youth unemployment issues. Majority of young people are leaving island for getting jobs. Combining these two, we not only can solve problems but also create econmic profit. Using sufficient human resources, geo-tourism will operate well, and if it operates well it would definitely bring incomes to island.

Another positive aspect of geo-tourism is that they could balance development of industries in Jeju-island. While traditional tourism prosper, only certain industries can be developed. For example, a lot of tourist from traditional tourism used to stay at guesthouse. Since then opening guesthouse became one of trends in jeju, this industries have grown explosively in short time. As a result, guesthouse is now suffering over-supplying problems, while other important local industries that represents Jeju are missing. This inequalities among industries is messing up economic eco-system of Jeju. However, by geo-tourism we can revitalize local industries. For instance, developing Jeju’s own local based tour program such as ‘Experiencing Haenyeo’, the industry of Haenyeo could get chance to start again.

We have rights to experience exotic and peaceful atmospheres of Jeju island but we also have duty to protect them. If we do nothing for them the economic ecosystem of Jeju will be destroyed and without sound economic environment Jeju would not survive by enormously large amount of tourists. Applying the concept of geo-tourism could require long time and a lot of efforts, but once applied adequately it would certainly bring positive effects. At this point, our task is to study and develop more detailed, customized geo-tourism model for Jeju.

Self-introduction

My name is Jeewon Kim. I am 25years old and this is my last semester in Sungshin womens university. Because I didn't took many classes so far, I am taking maximum 24 credits in this semester. This is my biggest concern these days. But I will try hard every class since it is my last unviersity time.
I live in Seoul, Nodeul station. Despite my place is in Seoul, it takes more than 1 hours to get school. But our university domitory's policy is very strict, residents of Seoul could not even apply for it. As a result, I had hard time commuting for 4 years.
I like exercising and like to watch movie. My place is located near Han-river, I often go out for jogging. I like to run because while running, I can solely concentrate my body and empty my complex thoughts. Lastly, the most impressive movie I've ever seeen is 'About Time'. I really liked the atmosphere and the music perfectly fitted in.
So, this is me and I want to have fun during the class and hope to achieve better English skills.