On December 2, the Department of Sports Science at Jeonbuk National University held a special lecture titled “Cultivating Irreplaceable Skills in the AI Era,” designed to help students understand the core competencies required in a rapidly evolving technological environment and strengthen their competitiveness in the changing sports industry.

The lecturer emphasized that “even as AI automates many tasks, the roles that only humans can perform become even more essential.” Key competencies highlighted for future society included critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, empathy, and communication. Beyond simply discussing skill development, the lecture also provided insight into understanding broader AI trends and navigating life wisely in a technology-driven era.

Connecting these ideas to the field of sports science, the lecture further explained that

• interpretive and analytical judgment required in sports performance data,

• emotional understanding and leadership essential for communication with athletes and teams,

• and integrative thinking needed to apply emerging technologies in real-world settings
  are examples of human-centered abilities that AI cannot easily replace.

Through group activities, students explored questions such as “What strengths do I uniquely possess?” and “What skills do I need to effectively collaborate with AI?” This reflective process allowed them to assess the competencies most relevant to their own career paths.

Participating students responded positively, sharing that they

• “gained a clear understanding of which abilities remain valuable in the AI era,” and

• “found direction for the competencies they need to develop moving forward.”

The Department of Sports Science will continue to provide AI-focused extracurricular programs and lectures that reflect emerging trends in technology and the sports industry, supporting students in developing both professional expertise and human-centered capabilities that remain indispensable in the future society.