Gyeongsan hosted the Next Dialogue talk concert at Yeungnam University on Thursday. [Gyeongsan city]
Gyeongsan hosted the Next Dialogue talk concert at Yeungnam University on Thursday. [Gyeongsan city]

Gyeongsan city in North Gyeongsang Province held the "Gyeongsan Next Dialogue" talk concert Thursday at the Lee Si-won Global Convention Hall of the Cheonma Arts Center at Yeungnam University.

The North Gyeongsang IT Convergence Industry Technology Institute organized the event.

The first session featured a keynote address by Song Gil-young, a big data and future trends analyst, who examined shifts in population movement and the changing employment landscape driven by digital transformation, under the theme "In the AI era, what criteria should young people use to choose their own path?"

In the second session, Gyeongsan Mayor Jo Hyeon-il and Song held a one-on-one dialogue centered on the question: "What opportunities can Gyeongsan offer in response to the choices young people make?"

The two first discussed what governance and talent should look like in the AI era.

Song said that while AI can increase processing speed, identifying problems and setting priorities remains a matter of human judgment. He named "people who discover new problems and solve them together with AI" as the defining talent of the AI age.

Mayor Jo said the city would apply technology to everyday needs — public transportation, care services and access to youth support information — and roll out digital services in stages so that residents less familiar with technology could benefit as well.

The final session, an open forum titled "Citizens Ask," gave participants a chance to submit questions in advance through a survey and in real time via a smart issue board, with Mayor Jo and Song answering directly.

"Gyeongsan's smart city vision will reach its full potential when it offers young people a concrete roadmap connecting learning to work and life, and consistently engages with them," Song said.

"We will make industry stronger, transportation more convenient and daily life more fulfilling so that young people who studied in Gyeongsan can take on challenges and achieve results right here in the region," Mayor Jo said.


kbj7653@heraldcorp.com