Yann LeCun urges Korea to lead AI shift toward physical-world robotics
Yann LeCun said the next AI breakthrough will come from systems that understand and act in the physical world, and that South Korea can capitalize on this by deploying AI in its manufacturing and robotics sectors.
During an industrial AI discussion in Seoul, Turing Award laureate Yann LeCun warned that the coming AI wave will rely on “world models” that can predict and manipulate physical environments, a capability beyond today’s large language models. He noted that while AI can solve math problems and pass exams, robots still struggle with everyday tasks a child can perform. LeCun and other experts, including Aitomatic CEO Christopher Nguyen, AI Alliance co-Chair Anthony Annunziata and ASI Foundry chairman Jimmy Rhee, urged South Korea to accelerate the deployment of AI in factories, ships and other machinery, leveraging its strength in manufacturing, robotics and engineering.
They emphasized the need for stronger cybersecurity and governance as AI agents become more autonomous. LeCun also called for attracting global research talent and turning open foundation models into a base for Korean physical-AI leadership. Ha Jung-woo of the National AI Strategy Committee said the competition is shifting toward industrial productivity, and international cooperation will be key to turning Korea’s semiconductor, automotive and shipbuilding sectors into economic value.
Why it matters
It shows how Korea could shape the next AI era by applying technology to its strong manufacturing sector.
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