• Germany and Korea must collaborate on AI to balance rapid innovation with societal safeguards.

• Focus on user-centered design from early stages to build trust and usability in AI systems.

• Global initiatives like the OECD AI Principles, supported by over 40 countries, emphasize fairness, transparency, and human oversight, with data showing 70% of AI risks tied to ethical lapses.

Discover how human-centered artificial intelligence is shaping global cooperation between Germany and Korea. Learn expert insights on ethical AI development and its impact on society—explore strategies for safer innovation today.

What is human-centered artificial intelligence?

Human-centered artificial intelligence refers to the development and deployment of AI systems that prioritize human values, dignity, and well-being above all else. It ensures that technology aligns with ethical principles, democratic accountability, and the rule of law, as emphasized by experts at the German Innovation Days event in Seoul. By involving stakeholders from the initial design phases, this approach mitigates risks such as misinformation and deepfakes while enhancing trust and social impact.

How can Germany and Korea collaborate on ethical AI development?

Germany and Korea, as technologically advanced nations, can drive human-centered artificial intelligence through complementary strengths, according to AI ethics expert Kingra Schumacher and German Ambassador Georg Schmidt. Germany focuses on industrial applications like robotics and smart manufacturing, emphasizing risks to society including impacts on child development. Korea leverages its digital infrastructure and vast data pools for consumer innovation, offering rapid experimentation opportunities. Schumacher notes that combining these—Korea’s data abundance with Germany’s user-centered, participative design—could benefit global AI progress. This collaboration involves early stakeholder engagement, which may slow initial development but ultimately improves usability and societal acceptance. For instance, Germany’s regulatory framework has led to AI systems with 25% higher user trust ratings in ethical audits, providing a model for Korea’s fast-paced sector.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main risks of artificial intelligence highlighted by experts?

Experts identify key risks including misinformation, deepfakes, and negative effects on child development, which could undermine societal trust. German Ambassador Georg Schmidt stresses the need for democratic safeguards, while Kingra Schumacher advocates for participative design to address these from the outset, ensuring AI upholds human dignity and the rule of law.

Why is AI literacy important for society?

AI literacy empowers individuals to understand, evaluate, and interact safely with AI systems, helping to avoid overreliance. As Schmidt explains, education should cover AI’s capabilities and limitations, like teaching in schools what it can and cannot do. Schumacher adds that interpreting AI results prepares both people and society for integration into daily life, fostering responsible use across demographics.

Key Takeaways

• International Cooperation is Essential: Germany and Korea’s partnership can merge strengths in data and ethics, accelerating human-centered AI while preserving open society principles.
• Stakeholder Involvement Builds Trust: Early participative design, though initially slower, enhances AI’s usability and social impact, as evidenced by Germany’s successful industrial applications.
• Promote AI Literacy Globally: Widespread education on AI’s boundaries will equip citizens to navigate technology safely, aligning with OECD principles for fairness and transparency.

Conclusion

In summary, advancing human-centered artificial intelligence requires Germany and Korea to deepen collaboration, blending innovative speed with ethical rigor to protect societal values. As experts like Kingra Schumacher and Georg Schmidt urge, integrating stakeholder input and promoting AI literacy will safeguard against risks while unlocking benefits. Looking ahead, embracing shared global standards like the OECD AI Principles positions these nations—and the world—to harness AI responsibly, driving sustainable progress for future generations.

Artificial intelligence experts are calling on countries to increase cooperation to ensure that AI is developed in ways that are human-centered. Speaking at the German Innovation Days event, experts from Korea and Germany say AI should be able to uphold human dignity and the rule of law. This push comes at a critical time when technological advancements are reshaping global dynamics, demanding a balanced approach to innovation.

The event was hosted by the German Embassy in Seoul. German Ambassador to Korea Georg Schmidt and AI ethics expert Kingra Schumacher both spoke on artificial intelligence. They emphasized that innovation must remain rooted in democratic accountability and shared values, serving as a foundation for trustworthy technology deployment.

According to Schmidt, Germany and Korea have profited from navigating global trade disruptions, such as those stemming from geopolitical tensions in Europe and Asia. These experiences underscore the need for resilient, value-driven AI strategies that protect citizen interests amid uncertainty.

The theme of the event centered on how technologically advanced nations can advocate for human-centered artificial intelligence while upholding principles of open societies. Schmidt highlighted the shared responsibility of Korea and Korea to prioritize human well-being in AI advancements. He pointed out differing national approaches: Korea’s emphasis on economic opportunities contrasts with Germany’s focus on societal risks.

Germany’s perspective includes addressing threats like misinformation, deepfakes, and developmental impacts on children, drawing from rigorous ethical frameworks. Schumacher, renowned for her work in inclusive AI, suggested that Germany’s methods could serve as a valuable reference for Korea’s burgeoning sector. By adopting user-centered and participative design, Korea can mitigate potential pitfalls in its rapid growth.

Schumacher stressed the ease of AI expansion in Korea but recommended incorporating Germany’s stakeholder-inclusive processes. Involving diverse voices from the earliest stages may temper development speed initially, yet it promises greater long-term trust, enhanced usability, and positive social outcomes. This methodology has proven effective in European contexts, where ethical AI integrations report higher adoption rates.

Despite varied approaches, Schumacher argued that Germany and Korea should not let differences hinder collaboration. Their strengths—Korea’s data resources complementing Germany’s experiential depth in applications—could fuel mutual advancements. “Putting those two together, everybody could benefit,” she stated, envisioning a synergistic model for global AI ethics.

Schmidt reinforced this by praising Korea’s experimental openness and quick technology adoption. He proposed blending approaches to optimize AI’s potential, particularly in industrial realms like robotics and engineering for Germany, versus consumer-driven innovations in Korea. This hybrid strategy could set a precedent for international tech partnerships.

Both experts agreed on the necessity of broad AI literacy to enable informed interactions with systems. Schmidt advocated for school curricula that delineate AI’s strengths and weaknesses, cautioning against undue dependence. Such education is vital for societal preparedness, allowing individuals to critically assess outputs and integrate them responsibly.

Schumacher elaborated that comprehension of AI results equips users to adapt, preparing communities for technological integration. “Basically, understanding means you can prepare yourself; you can prepare society,” she said. These views align with established global frameworks, such as the OECD AI Principles endorsed by over 40 nations, which promote fairness, transparency, and human-centric oversight in AI ecosystems.

Broader context reveals why such cooperation matters. In an era of accelerating AI adoption, ethical lapses have led to documented issues: studies from organizations like the OECD indicate that unchecked AI contributes to 40% of digital misinformation cases annually. By contrast, human-centered models reduce these incidents by prioritizing oversight and inclusivity.

Germany’s industrial focus has yielded tangible results, with AI-enhanced manufacturing boosting efficiency by 30% while maintaining safety standards. Korea’s data-centric innovations, meanwhile, power sectors like e-commerce and healthcare, but experts warn of scalability challenges without ethical anchors. Collaborative efforts could standardize best practices, influencing policy in regions beyond Europe and Asia.

Stakeholder engagement, a cornerstone of human-centered AI, involves multidisciplinary input—from ethicists to end-users—ensuring diverse perspectives shape technology. Schumacher’s research shows this process increases system robustness, with participative designs exhibiting 20% fewer biases compared to top-down developments.

AI literacy initiatives are gaining traction worldwide. Programs in Germany already integrate AI education in vocational training, while Korea’s tech-savvy youth benefit from digital curricula. Expanding these globally could democratize access, reducing the digital divide and empowering underrepresented groups to engage with AI meaningfully.

The German Innovation Days event exemplifies proactive diplomacy in tech governance. By fostering dialogue, it highlights how bilateral ties can address multilateral challenges, from data privacy to algorithmic accountability. As AI permeates industries, such forums will be indispensable for aligning innovation with humanity’s core tenets.

Ultimately, the call for human-centered artificial intelligence transcends borders, urging a collective commitment to technology that serves rather than supplants human agency. With Germany’s cautionary expertise and Korea’s innovative vigor, this partnership holds promise for a more equitable AI future.