AlphaGo's 'father' returns to Seoul, predicts AI-driven human renaissance

Demis Hassabis, the co-founder and CEO of Google DeepMind, returned to Seoul, the city that hosted the historic AlphaGo match a decade ago, to meet with Lee Sedol, the Go grandmaster who famously defeated AlphaGo in one game. Hassabis, often hailed as the "father of AlphaGo," described Seoul as the "starting point of the modern artificial intelligence era." His presence at 'Google for Korea 2026' underscored the significant impact of the AlphaGo-Lee Sedol matches, not only on the trajectory of AI development but also on the global perception of artificial intelligence.

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To me, Seoul is like the starting point of the modern artificial intelligence era.

Hassabis expressed a profound optimism for the future, predicting a "human renaissance" within the next 10 to 20 years, driven by the responsible application of AI. He cited the development of AlphaFold, an AI that predicts protein structures, as a prime example of AI's potential to solve complex challenges, potentially eradicating diseases. He lauded Lee Sedol's 78th move in their fourth match as a moment of "human greatness," contrasting it with AlphaGo's 37th move, which demonstrated AI's creativity. Lee Sedol, now a distinguished professor, reflected on the match as a turning point in his life, emphasizing the need for humans to maintain their agency in thought and decision-making even as AI becomes a collaborative partner.

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The match between Lee Sedol and AlphaGo was the starting point of the amazing artificial intelligence technology progress that has occurred over the past 10 years.

Google is clearly keen on leveraging South Korea's robust technological infrastructure and forward-thinking attitude. Hassabis specifically praised South Korea's potential to lead in the AI era, citing its strong industrial base in semiconductors, robotics, and manufacturing, as well as its leading universities and research institutions. This recognition of Korea's capabilities is a key reason behind Google's focus on deepening collaborations with local partners and expanding the use of its AI model, Gemini, in the Korean market.

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AlphaGo's '37th move' showed the creativity of artificial intelligence needed in science, while Lee Sedol's 78th move showed human greatness.

To further solidify its commitment, Google announced the launch of 'AI Allim,' a brand dedicated to enhancing AI capabilities, which will offer systematic educational programs for young people, developers, and startups. Additionally, through a partnership with YBM Net, Google is providing free access to TOEIC practice questions via Gemini. This multifaceted approach highlights Google's strategy to not only advance AI technology but also to foster its adoption and understanding within the Korean society, positioning Seoul as a crucial hub in the global AI landscape.

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The match with AlphaGo was the starting point that redefined the meaning of my life.