'No longer optional': AI transformation essential across sectors
Experts from global companies said Tuesday that artificial intelligence (AI) adoption is no longer optional, but essential across sectors from manufacturing to finance. The Korea Times and the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea co-hosted the AI Forum 2025 in Seoul, bringing together figures from industry, academia and government to discuss Korea’s role in the AI and digital innovation economy. The first session focused on the industrial perspective of the global AI race, inviting PTC Chief Revenue Officer Robert Dahdah, Hyundai Motor Securities researcher Roh Geun-chang, Visa International Korea Country Manager Patrick Storey and Microsoft Korea Enterprise Commercial Lead Kim Hoon-sang as speakers. Tech startup CODIT CEO Chung Ji-eun moderated the session. Discussing cooperation between Korea and the United States, which has become even more crucial following dramatic tariff negotiations and the Korea-U.S. summit, the panelists urged private sectors to jump into AI adoption to broaden their opportunities in the global market. “In the industrial software digital thread world, there
