In a four-part Chosun Edu column series, Campus Dean Joshua Park explores the evolving role of universities in the age of artificial intelligence, from critical thinking and research to industry collaboration and human connection.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI), including ChatGPT, is rapidly transforming not only our daily lives but also the ways we learn, conduct research, and engage with industry.
As AI becomes increasingly integrated into society, an important question emerges: Beyond learning how to use AI effectively, what skills will people need to thrive in an AI-driven world, and what role should universities play in preparing them?
George Mason University Korea Campus Dean Joshua Park explored these questions in a four-part column series published by Chosun Edu, offering perspectives on the future of higher education in an era of rapid technological change.
Spanning education, research, industry collaboration, and human connection, the series highlights how universities can continue to create meaningful value in a world increasingly shaped by AI.
Part 1. When AI Can Generate Answers, What Should Universities Teach?
"The Day AI Lost to a Human: What Universities Must Continue to Teach"
In 2019, IBM's artificial intelligence system, Project Debater, faced world-renowned debate champion Harish Natarajan in a public debate.
The human champion emerged victorious.
Yet in just a few years, the landscape has changed dramatically. AI systems can now draw on vast amounts of information to construct persuasive arguments tailored to individual audiences.
As AI becomes increasingly capable of producing logical arguments and convincing responses, what should universities prioritize in their teaching?
Park identifies critical thinking as one of the most essential skills students must develop.
Rather than accepting AI-generated responses at face value, students need to learn how to evaluate the accuracy of information, examine the validity of evidence and reasoning, consider alternative perspectives, challenge assumptions, and ultimately exercise independent judgment.
The column also emphasizes the importance of how students engage with AI. Instead of relying on AI to generate answers from the outset, students should first work through problems independently and then use AI as a tool to enhance their thinking.
At Mason Korea, this educational philosophy is reflected in an emphasis on discussion, collaboration, and problem-solving, encouraging students to ask meaningful questions and develop the confidence to make informed decisions.
Key Takeaway
As AI becomes increasingly capable of generating answers, the human ability to critically evaluate those answers becomes more important than ever.
Part 2. When Everyone Has Access to AI, What Makes a University Competitive?
"AI Is Now Like Tap Water: What Will Universities Compete On?"
As AI becomes an everyday resource accessible to nearly everyone, what will distinguish one university from another?
Park argues that the answer lies in research.
While AI can rapidly retrieve, summarize, and organize existing knowledge, universities must go further by identifying unanswered questions, generating new knowledge, and developing solutions to complex challenges.
George Mason University is classified as an R1 research university, a designation recognizing institutions with the highest levels of research activity in the United States.
Through initiatives such as the Grand Challenge Initiative, Mason brings together research expertise to address pressing global issues, including emerging technologies, education, health, and climate resilience.
This research-driven approach also extends to Mason Korea in Songdo, Incheon.
Building on the resources and research networks of the Fairfax Campus, Mason Korea continues to expand collaborations with Korean universities and organizations in areas including AI, serious games, security, and entrepreneurship.
Students also benefit from opportunities to engage with academic and research environments connected to the university's U.S. campus, broadening their perspectives and strengthening their ability to approach complex problems.
Key Takeaway
The future competitiveness of universities will depend not simply on access to AI technologies, but on their ability to ask meaningful questions, advance research, and create new knowledge and value.
Part 3. From Songdo to Las Vegas: How Can Universities Help Startups Go Global?
"From Songdo to Las Vegas: How Universities and Industry Can Grow Together"
What does it take for a Korean startup with an innovative idea or promising technology to successfully enter the U.S. market?
A strong product alone is rarely enough.
Companies must navigate unfamiliar markets, legal and regulatory requirements, investment opportunities, and professional networks.
Park explains that universities can play a valuable role in bridging these gaps.
Beyond their educational mission, universities possess research capabilities, specialized expertise, institutional credibility, and international networks that can help companies navigate the challenges of global expansion.
Mason Korea is building on these strengths to expand its role as a platform connecting Korean innovation with opportunities in the United States.
One example is the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), which serves as a bridge between Korea's entrepreneurial ecosystem and Mason's innovation and business development networks in the United States.
Through this connection, Korean companies can begin preparing for U.S. market entry while still in Korea and explore opportunities to engage with the university's broader entrepreneurial support ecosystem.
The column also highlights the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), one of the world's largest technology exhibitions, as an opportunity to connect Korean startups with international markets and industry partners.
Importantly, these collaborations are not solely about business growth.
They also create opportunities for students to gain practical experience by working on real-world business challenges, conducting market research, developing ideas, and participating in entrepreneurial projects.
Such experiences connect classroom learning with the demands of the global marketplace.
Key Takeaway
Meaningful university-industry collaboration goes beyond signing agreements. Its true value emerges when partnerships contribute to business growth while creating hands-on learning opportunities for students.
Part 4. In the Age of AI, Why Human Connection Matters More Than Ever
"The First Report Card of the AI Era: The Missing Subject Is Human Connection"
In a world where AI can provide information, generate written content, and assist with problem-solving, why does learning alongside other people still matter?
In the final column, Park emphasizes that human connection remains one of the most valuable aspects of education and one of the most difficult for AI to replace.
Meaningful learning often takes place through interactions that challenge our existing perspectives.
When people from different cultures, backgrounds, and experiences come together, they exchange ideas, question assumptions, navigate disagreements, and develop a deeper understanding of the world.
Mason Korea provides an international learning environment where these interactions are part of everyday campus life.
Students from more than 20 countries study alongside one another, while faculty members from diverse national and academic backgrounds bring different perspectives into the classroom. Academic and cultural exchanges between the Korea and Fairfax campuses further enrich this experience.
Programs and activities such as the Honors College's Global Collective, international debate competitions, collaborative global projects, and entrepreneurship competitions offer students opportunities to engage directly with different perspectives and experiences.
These experiences bring George Mason University's motto, "All Together Different," to life, making diversity and cross-cultural engagement an integral part of the learning experience.
Key Takeaway
No matter how advanced AI becomes, the ability to connect with others, understand different perspectives, and grow through shared experiences will remain essential. Universities must continue to create environments where these meaningful interactions can flourish.
Shaping the Future of Higher Education at Mason Korea
Although the four columns explore different dimensions of higher education, they share a central message: As technology advances, universities must place even greater emphasis on human-centered learning.
Developing critical thinking, asking meaningful questions, connecting academic research with industry and society, and learning alongside people from diverse backgrounds are all essential elements of preparing students for the future.
By connecting the educational and research strengths of a leading American research university with Korea's dynamic international environment, Mason Korea continues to expand opportunities for students to learn, collaborate, and grow.
As AI reshapes the future, the question is no longer simply how effectively students can use technology, but how universities can empower them to think independently, create meaningful change, and connect with the world around them.
Read the Full Chosun Edu Column Series
Explore Campus Dean Joshua Park's four-part series for a deeper look at the future of higher education in the age of AI.
Part 1: The Day AI Lost to a Human: What Universities Must Continue to Teach
Part 2: AI Is Now Like Tap Water: What Will Universities Compete On?
Part 3: From Songdo to Las Vegas: How Universities and Industry Can Grow Together
Part 4: The First Report Card of the AI Era: The Missing Subject Is Human Connection