What does intelligence mean in the age of AI? James Rhee, global business leader, acclaimed CEO, and bestselling author, returned to SUNY Korea for a special lecture titled “A Perspective on the Future of Intelligence Upon the Launch of the New HBS Case.” Following his previous visit in September 2025, Rhee returned to share his perspectives on the future of intelligence and the importance of human agency in an increasingly AI-driven world.
Rhee is recognized for his innovative approach to leadership, entrepreneurship, and organizational transformation. His leadership philosophy and work are the subjects of a newly published Harvard Business School (HBS) case, which examines his approach to building systems centered on human agency, trust, and goodwill. Drawing on his multidisciplinary experiences, Rhee has demonstrated how kindness, trust, and human connection can serve as powerful foundations for organizational success.
As AI continues to develop and reshape how people learn, work, and interact, Rhee invited the audience to reflect on the role of humans in the AI-driven world. While AI can process information and generate sophisticated outputs, human wisdom, empathy, and connection remain essential. He highlighted the enduring value of human expression through the example of minyo, traditional Korean folk songs. Although their melodies may be simple or imperfect, they carry generations of wisdom, shared experiences, and emotional resonance that AI cannot create.
His perspective emphasized the importance of radical human agency over technological passivity and systematic thinking to navigate complexity, make thoughtful decisions, and ensure that technological progress continues to serve humanity while preserving the value of human wisdom, kindness, and connection.
During his previous visit to SUNY Korea, Rhee encouraged students to reclaim their agency and lead with kindness, emphasizing self-trust, balance, and goodwill as essential qualities for navigating uncertainty. His return built on these ideas, inviting the SUNY Korea community to reconsider the meaning of intelligence in an era of rapid technological change and to recognize the enduring importance of human agency and connection.
On Wednesday, September 30, 2026, the SUNY Korea Career Development Center hosted the “AI for Career Decisions” workshop. Led by Dr. Joseph S. Cabuay from the Department of Technology, AI, and Society, this interactive workshop aimed to aid students seeking employment opportunities by exploring how to utilize artificial intelligence when making career decisions. The workshop led students across a systematic process consisting of four complementary steps: understanding the
SUNY Korea brought together alumni, university leadership, faculty, and staff for its inaugural Alumni Night on September 18, 2026. Held under the theme of “Connect, Engage, Grow,” the gathering offered an opportunity to renew friendships, build new connections, and help shape the future of the university’s alumni community. Over dinner and conversation, graduates reconnected with classmates and faculty and met fellow alumni from different programs and graduating cl
On September 14, The Style Shop Korea celebrated its opening on the first floor of SUNY Korea Academic Building A. The shop was developed under the leadership of Professor Hyeseon Kim and the FIT School Club, MSC (Merchandising Society Club). What makes this Style Shop especially meaningful is that all of the products were created by FIT students. During the opening event, house music filled the space, creating a fashionable and energetic atmosphere in the style shop area. The shop fe
SUNY Korea celebrated the completion of its facility renovation project on September 14th, 2026, with a ceremony held on the fourth floor of Building C. The event brought together students, faculty, staff, university leadership, and visitors. The SUNY Korea Facility Renovation Project represents a multi-facility, three-year initiative aimed at revitalizing core academic and student service spaces across campus, including the SUNY Korea Library, classrooms, and the fourth floor corrid
SUNY Korea held its Fall 2026 Convocation on Thursday, August 27, welcoming 231 new students to the SUNY Korea community. The incoming Class of 2028 for Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) and Class of 2030 for Stony Brook University (SBU) are represented by 20 countries around the globe, including South Korea, the United States, France, Mexico, and South Africa. The Convocation, held at the Incheon Global Campus (IGC) Auditorium, brought together new students, their families, fac