Upstage CEO Kim Sung-hoon declared that "2026 will be the inaugural year for the commercialization of artificial intelligence and AI agents," signaling the start of an era where AI will be deployed in earnest across real-world applications.
Speaking at UNIST's 2025 commencement ceremony on the 23rd, Kim stated that "in the AI era, there are only two choices: either build AI yourself or learn to use it effectively."
"A very powerful competitor has now emerged before you," he said, addressing the graduating class about the arrival and opportunities of the AI age.
For those aspiring to build AI, Kim recommended joining Upstage, which aims to become the world's number one. For those choosing to utilize AI, he emphasized they must go beyond simply using it.
"You must be able to command AI to produce results superior to your own," Kim advised. "Not just at the level of a colleague, but capable of creating outcomes that surpass what you yourself can achieve."
Kim highlighted AI's significance by citing global Big Tech founding stories. "Mark Zuckerberg had Dustin Moskovitz, who built the backend, and Andrew McCollum, who designed the initial interface. Steve Jobs had Steve Wozniak's overwhelming engineering capabilities and Mike Markkula's strategic planning expertise," he explained.
"AI agents that are more capable than these individuals and work 24 hours a day are now in your hands," Kim said. "All you need to decide is what to build and what work to pursue."
He added that the graduates are "the greatest beneficiaries of this era, able to command the equivalent of 10 AI workers while pursuing whatever you wish."
Min Tae-ki, Vice President of SNH, who also took the podium, directly refuted recent criticisms from older generations toward young people, offering encouragement to the graduates.
"People say today's generation lacks literacy, has no vision, and lacks patience, but in OECD assessments, our country's young generation scores above average in language proficiency," Min said. "Every student I've personally met has been a brilliantly shining individual."
"It's okay to be wrong, okay to change course, okay to start over. Just remember one thing," he urged, encouraging the graduates.
A total of 883 students received degrees from UNIST that day, including 347 bachelor's, 334 master's, and 202 doctoral graduates. Since its founding in 2009, UNIST has produced 11,217 science and technology talents, comprising 6,810 bachelor's, 2,742 master's, and 1,665 doctoral degree holders.