Data access, leadership commitment and measurable productivity gains seen as keys to AI success
Siemens CEO Roland Busch and Naver CEO Choi Soo-yeon on Saturday urged companies to move beyond AI pilot projects and focus on measurable productivity gains, stressing that better data management and leadership commitment are key to scaling industrial artificial intelligence.
Speaking at an industrial AI session at APK 2026 in Seoul, moderated by journalist Jennifer Moon, the executives said companies' ability to unlock internal data and integrate AI into everyday operations would determine its business value.
Choi said businesses must first organize information scattered across paper records, employee computers and departmental systems into formats AI can use, while ensuring the data is accurate, up to date and accessible to authorized users.
She cautioned that generating reports or other materials with AI does not automatically translate into higher productivity. Companies should instead measure whether the technology reduces waiting times, improves efficiency or eliminates repetitive tasks.
Busch emphasized the importance of top-level leadership and ambitious targets to drive companywide adoption.
“It has to come from the top,” he said.
As an example, Busch cited a Japanese automaker that deployed Siemens technology across 10,000 machines, achieving a payback period of less than three months.
Choi highlighted Naver's experience operating more than 200 delivery robots at its 1784 headquarters for over four years, demonstrating the challenges of deploying reliable AI-powered services in environments shared with people.
Data sharing remains a major obstacle. In an audience poll, 41 percent of respondents identified data sharing and interoperability as the biggest barrier to scaling industrial AI across regions.
Busch called for clear data-sharing policies and specialized expertise, noting that customer data could be used to train industrial AI models without necessarily leaving company premises.
On technological sovereignty, Choi said countries and companies could collaborate across semiconductors, AI models and services while maintaining control over their own data.
Busch pointed to potential synergies between Siemens' chip design technologies and Korean semiconductor manufacturers, as well as opportunities for cooperation in life sciences and drug development.
Choi said AI adoption has so far focused largely on office work, while the greater opportunity lies in the vast equipment and production data held by manufacturers such as Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Motor.
The executives also addressed AI's impact on employment. Busch warned that repetitive, rules-based jobs would face displacement, calling for reforms in education and workforce training.
Choi said Naver continued to hire employees annually, but would need new business models to offset rising AI-related costs.
Busch later visited Naver's headquarters, reaffirming the companies' partnership, which includes Siemens' fire protection systems and involvement in Naver's Gak data center infrastructure.
herim@heraldcorp.com
