Feature Sociologist Prof. Richard Questions 'Humanity and Sociality' in the Age of AI: A Paradox

Hwaseong Special City (Mayor Jeong Myeong-geun) announced that world-renowned scholar Prof. Sam Richards has been confirmed as the keynote speaker for the opening ceremony of the global AI Expo 'MARS 2026' to be held over three days from November 3 to 5 at COEX Hall D in Seoul.

The news of a world-class scholar taking the stage at the opening of 'MARS 2026' has attracted significant attention from industry and academia. It stands out as distinctive because the opening stage of a typical AI event dominated by technology and industry will be opened by a sociologist rather than an engineer or entrepreneur.

Renowned Scholar Prof. Richards on the Opening Stage of 'MARS 2026'

As AI becomes deeply embedded in cities and daily life, the question of how AI technology transforms the lives of people and communities has become increasingly important, moving beyond what it can merely implement.

In response, Hwaseong Special City is adding the perspective of a world-renowned scholar to the opening keynote speech—a symbolic stage showcasing the overall direction of 'MARS 2026'—to further expand the scope of AI technology into the realm of human life, community, and urban affairs. Through this, the city aims to clearly declare its vision of pursuing an 'AI city for people' beyond technological competition, both internally and externally.

Prof. Sam Richards (Samuel Martell Richards), who will serve as the keynote speaker, is a world-renowned authority who has conducted research for over 30 years in the fields of race, gender, and culture. He is a professor of sociology at Pennsylvania State University in the United States and currently serves as distinguished professor in the Department of Cultural Contents at Konkuk University.

In addition to his Emmy Award-winning educational programs and his demonstrations of deep understanding of Korean society and culture through various media platforms including YouTube, he is well known as 'a scholar who loves Korea more than Koreans do.'

In his keynote speech at the opening ceremony, Prof. Sam Richards will pose profound questions about how technological advancement should change and guide the lives of humanity, communities, and urban society in an era of increasingly advanced AI technology. With the keen perspective unique to scholars, he will address civilizational challenges such as technological alienation and social disparity, while emphasizing that AI technology must go beyond being merely a tool for efficiency to become a medium that enhances human connection and community inclusivity.

'AI CITY IN ACTION' at COEX Hall D

Such a keynote speech transcends mere academic discourse and more compellingly supports the blueprint for a 'people-centered AI city' that Hwaseong Special City will pursue. Through an opening structure that places the essential values of 'people and community' at the forefront of technology, the city plans to make 'MARS 2026' a symbolic venue for proclaiming the value of a future city that moves toward and serves people, both internally and externally.

The overall slogan for this year's 'MARS 2026' event is 'AI CITY IN ACTION.' This reflects the determination to not confine AI to blueprints or distant future declarations, but rather to intuitively demonstrate how AI actually functions in citizens' daily lives and urban settings, transforming lives into a 'practice-oriented AI city.'

This direction strongly aligns with Hwaseong Special City's 9th term city government slogan, 'Greater Hwaseong for Everyone's Happiness.' This is because both share a clear awareness that the ultimate goal of cutting-edge AI technology is not to showcase glamorous innovations, but ultimately to be used to make the lives of each and every citizen more comfortable and prosperous.

Mayor Jeong Myeong-geun: "Will showcase Hwaseong as a warm AI innovation city"

Mayor Jeong Myeong-geun of Hwaseong Special City said, "It is deeply meaningful to have world-renowned scholar Prof. Sam Richards as the keynote speaker for the opening ceremony of 'MARS 2026,'" adding, "This 'MARS 2026' will not be a venue for competing over AI technological excellence, but rather a place to share the warmth of a future city where technology embraces even a single citizen without leaving anyone behind."

Furthermore, Mayor Jeong stated, "A city where technology, people, and businesses grow together while relying on one another is the promise Hwaseong Special City makes to all its citizens," and expressed hope that "you will directly witness the future of Hwaseong Special City as it moves toward becoming a warm AI innovation city at this venue."