Background

Birthplace: South Korea
Professional Background:

Youngjun Choi is the director of advanced AI and robotics at the UPS Robotics AI Lab, where he leads efforts in digital-twin technology, AI/GenAI and operations research. He focuses on leveraging emerging technologies to reimagine the future of delivery networks.

With 15 years of experience developing ground/aerial robotics and military satellites, his expertise lies in autonomy, robotics, AI/GenAI and digital-twin.

SREB AI Commission Role: AI Skill Development Subcommittee 
Favorite AI App or Use: Google NotebookLM for brainingstorming ideas
Hobbies Outside of Work and AI: Teaching AI technology to my son, Leon David Choi

Why did you want to be involved in the commission, and what has your experience been like so far?

I joined the SREB “AI in Education” commission because I believe it’s crucial to proactively shape the future of learning. While AI is rapidly transforming our industries, its integration into education is comparatively slow. This commission provides an important opportunity to share our position on how we can best prepare future generations to the upcoming AI-driven world.

So far, the experience has been incredibly insightful. I’ve gained valuable perspectives from industry partners, policymakers and educators, all contributing to the development of guidelines for safe and ethical AI education that considers ethical considerations, technological advancements and leadership development.

How might AI change how  we teach?

I strongly believe AI has the potential to fundamentally transform education. The most significant change will be the shift towards personalized learning. By leveraging vast amounts of data, we can tailor educational content and delivery to individual student needs and interests. This personalization could manifest in several ways:

• Firstly, it could enable a more adaptive curriculum that adjusts in real-time based on a student’s progress and learning style.
• Secondly, it allows us to provide access to a wider range of educational materials tailored to specific interests, making learning more engaging.
• Finally, there is a need for a change in the curriculum. As AI becomes more prevalent, it’s crucial that we equip students with AI literacy, enabling them to critically evaluate AI systems, understand their limitations and make informed decisions about their use in an ethical and responsible way.

Do you believe AI can support educators without diminishing human interaction and emotional intelligence in the classroom?

I believe AI can indeed support educators without diminishing human interaction and emotional intelligence in the classroom, but only if implemented thoughtfully and with appropriate AI safeguards. When used effectively, AI can support administrative tasks, offer personalized learning recommendations and provide teachers with data-driven insights into student progress. This allows teachers to focus on what they do best: building relationships with students, fostering emotional growth and providing individualized attention.

The key is to ensure that AI serves as a tool to augment human interaction, not replace it. However, if AI systems are not properly integrated or if teachers rely too heavily on automated outcomes without critical analysis, it could lead to a decline in human connection and emotional understanding in the classroom.

How might the work of this commission change the course of AI in education?

This commission is uniquely positioned to develop well-rounded guidelines for AI in education, drawing on the expertise of industry leaders to identify essential skills, policymakers to shape effective policies and educators to ensure practical classroom implementation. Currently, we lack balanced AI guidance, and I believe this commission’s work will be instrumental in shaping the future of AI-integrated education.