We are living in an era where there is talk of agentic AI that is capable of making its own decisions and taking action. The CEO of AIWORKX, Mr. Yoon Seok-won, has played a leading role in driving the growth of this sector. In his view, we are currently at the beginning of a new civilizational shift. He said, “It seems we are still standing at the entrance. The question ahead is who designs this direction and how.” The AI industry requires massive amounts of data and graphics processing units (GPU), which can be handled by only a handful of companies around the world. Naturally, in the process, winner-takes-all and the-rich-get-richer structures intensify. Yoon added, “In order to prevent AI technology from being used to maximize the benefits of specific capitalists, diverse members of society must work together to find solutions.”

The Faster AI Gets, the Deeper Humans Get: Why Human Beings Must be in the Loop

AIWORKX is a specialized AI company that provides integrated solutions ranging from data collection and processing to AI agents and model validation, with a mission to take charge of AI transformation from the beginning to the end. From its beginnings as TestWorks in 2015, the company launched the AI data building business for the first time in Korea, and in 2025, the tenth anniversary of its founding, the company changed its name to AIWORKX, declaring its development into a specialized AI agent company.

Yoon emphasizes that data lies at the center of this company. He said, “Data is just like the crude oil for AI. AI needs high-quality data for its proper decision-making and action, and the quality of data must be guaranteed by human beings. When the principle of placing humans within the work process, the so-called Human-in-the-Loop (HITL) model, is compromised, AI can become the master rather than a tool.

“Of course, as AI develops, the role of humans will change as well. Just as an employee at our company who used to process data has now become an expert who is in charge of meticulous inspection of the results generated by AI.” The key point is that even if AI processes the larger amount of data faster, the in-depth quality of them must be delved into by humans.

Difference Creates Opportunities, and Technology Solves the Problem

The secret behind AIWORKX to consistently achieve remarkable technological results from the beginning to the present lies in diversity. As a company that practices the most inclusive employment system in the technology industry, AIWORKX has diverse employees, including those with developmental disabilities, people with hearing impairment, women returning to the workforce, and senior citizens.

“It is natural to face communication issues when working with those with hearing impairments, and we resolve them using technology. For example, we developed an AI-based automatic interpretation engine.” Diverse stances and perspectives coexisting in one place contributed to the development of new solutions and the growth of the company, followed by internal individual growth.

“The person currently in charge of general affairs has autism. When he first joined us, he struggled even to make eye contact with others. After spending years with coworkers here, his social skills have developed, and now he can properly communicate with others.” The reason why things generally considered almost impossible can be achieved here is because the entire company is focused on a mission of providing fair opportunities to everyone through job designs that leverage the strengths of each employee and on creating social value through inclusive employment.

From Humanities Student to AI Entrepreneur: Anam’s Spirit of Public Service Becomes a Calling

Yoon naturally acquired a perspective on social issues during his college years in his 20s. He said, “The academic culture not just of college, but also of the Department of Mass Communication, where I majored, always put priority on the public interest. In this environment, I learned a lot watching older students and professors ponder and endeavor to create a better society. That question is still lingering inside me. It is not about what I can do with technology, but rather whom and how I can help using technology. I believe this is the reason I engage in this business and the calling I have received.”

Having once dreamed of becoming a journalist hoping to contribute to social change, Yoon unexpectedly started his journey as an engineer. He said, “During a time when I had lost direction in my life while studying abroad in the US, I happened to take a coding class. Unbelievably, I got first place in that class. I was praised that my coding is creative although it is not fully based on engineering.

Later, after an interview with the professor, I began working in engineering development. I built my career in software engineering for approximately 20 years at Microsoft and Samsung Electronics. In the beginning, I felt like an imposter because I felt short of the expectations working with the world’s top-tier developers. However, as time passed, my people-centered approach based on humanities studies, which resolves conflicts and reach out to colleagues in need to solve problems together, became recognized as a strength.

What led him to start his own business was his volunteer work training women who were on a career break that he participated in when he was at a large corporation. Although the students had outstanding skills, with over 80% of them passing international SW certification exams, no companies hired them as full-time employees. He said, “I left my stable job with the decision that I would rather start my own company and hire them. I wanted to do something meaningful and valuable, beyond simply making money or getting promoted.”

 (Top) At the Global Engagement & Empowerment Forum on Sustainable Development (GEEF), where Yoon was a panelist
(Bottom) Yoon giving the internal culture training

Those with an Unwavering Core Will Win in the AI Era

What should we do to keep our own agency in the era of agent AI? The answer from Yoon was surprisingly simple: “Instead of relying on AI, we should be able to continuously ask it questions.” The ability to filter out errors from plausible answers provided by AI stems from the habit of in-depth thinking. This habit is developed through the process of reading, thinking in the humanities, and refining one’s own philosophy and worldview.

“As AI advances, the basics become even more important. The person who asks good questions will ultimately be the one to use AI properly.”

He emphasized, “I think it is really important to decide to do something good to the world. Do not be anxious by comparing yourself to others. While you’re working on helping others to achieve success, money will naturally follow.”

This history of AIWORKX, demonstrating steady growth based on inclusive employment and diversity lends credibility to his words. “My personal goal is to establish a non-profit foundation within this year to find solutions regarding employment issues in this AI era. I want to continue seeking out meaningful and valuable work.”

The era of agentic AI may not be about AI taking away human roles, but rather aa time that asks us to choose our roles. As Mr. Yoon has demonstrated at AIWORKX for over ten years, perhaps those who ask questions in a way that benefits society while getting along with their neighbors will ultimately be able to maintain their own positions even in the AI era.