Center for ICT&Society
Introduction to the Center for ICT & Society
The Center for Intelligence Information Technology and Society, affiliated with the Information Culture Research Institute, was established in 2013 with support from the Korea Research Foundation's Social Science Support Project (SSK), under the leadership of Professor Kim Sungchul. From September 2013 to August 2023, the Center conducted research on intelligence information technology under the theme of convergent academic disciplines and technology through the SSK project. Over the past 10 years, the Center has undertaken research aimed at addressing social issues caused by intelligence information technology through small-scale 3-year, medium-scale 3-year, and large-scale 4-year projects.
Upon successfully completing the SSK project, the Center aimed to expand its research themes to the institute level for further advancement. Consequently, it was selected for the Humanities and Social Sciences Research Institute Support Project, supported by the Korea Research Foundation from September 2023 to August 2029. Under this project, the Center is conducting research on the theme "Issues of Intelligence Information Technology and Individual Organizational Society: Diagnosis and Solutions." Additionally, Korea University's Digital Platform Research Center (formerly the Media Industry Research Center) was integrated into the Center for Intelligence Information Technology and Social Issues in December 2023.
Vision and Goals
The primary goal of this research center is not only to address the instability and opacity brought about by intelligent information technology but also to go one step further by exploring the potential of using intelligent information technology to resolve social issues and alleviate anxiety. Such research is deemed urgent and essential at the current juncture, given the accelerated development of intelligent information technology and the changing landscape of related industries and societies. In particular, through this research, we anticipate contributing to leading discussions on convergence technology research and practical utilization in South Korea and globalizing these efforts.
Research Content
Intelligent information technology is transforming many aspects of our society, leading to paradigm shifts in an intelligent information society. New issues are emerging as national and social problems, and there is a risk of exacerbating existing social issues.
On the other hand, intelligent information technology also acts as a key catalyst for solving existing problems. Based on interdisciplinary research conducted over the past 10 years, our research center aims to understand the evolution of intelligent information technology, including artificial intelligence, respond to side effects or problems caused by technology, and actively utilize intelligent information technology to derive solutions to pervasive societal problems. We also aim to lead national industrial innovation that can enhance future national competitiveness. Regarding societal issues, we seek to comprehensively diagnose problems occurring at the micro and macro levels of individuals, organizations, and society, analyze the impact of intelligent information technology in each dimension, and explore responsive and proactive strategies utilizing intelligent information technology.
Excellence
Our research center has produced outstanding research results quantitatively and qualitatively. Over the past 10 years of conducting the SSK project, a total of 245 papers have been published (124 in international refereed academic journals, 4 in international general academic journals, and 71 in journals accredited by the research foundation). In 2022, the excellence of the papers produced by our research center was recognized, and they were included in the "Top 50 Excellence of Academic Research Support Projects" by the Korea Research Foundation (26 in humanities and social sciences, out of a total of 12,000 projects) and received the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Award. Additionally, we have actively hosted domestic and international academic conferences to facilitate academic exchange among researchers. We have actively organized prestigious international academic conferences such as the 2016 International Media Management Academic Association (IMMAA) and the 2018 International Telecommunications Society (ITS), as well as domestic academic conferences, providing a platform for academic exchange. Professor Kim Sungchul, the research director, collaborated with Professor Payam Hanafizadeh from Allameh Tabataba'i University (ATU) in Iran to establish the academic journal Digital Business under Elsevier in September 2020. The journal was indexed in SCOPUS within 2 years and 6 months, disseminating research outcomes.