In March 2016, Lee Sedol, a top Go player, famously made a move against AlphaGo that was referred to as both a ‘divine move’ and the most ‘human-like move’. This move resulted in AlphaGo’s first, and only, defeat by a human player in an official match, marking a significant moment in the history of artificial intelligence and human competition. Now, ten years later, Lee addressed the implications of this match during a special talk at the University of Seoul, examining AI's profound integration into various professional and everyday domains since that pivotal encounter.

Lee stated that following his matches with AlphaGo, AI has vastly improved its Go strategies to an extent that has surprised even seasoned players like himself. He reflected on the advancements made by AlphaGo Zero, which was able to learn the game entirely on its own without human data, achieving a level of expertise that left him in awe. According to Lee, while many professional Go players today are learning from AI programs like KataGo, this reliance on AI is creating a disparity in skill levels rather than elevating all players' abilities as he initially expected.

He expressed concerns that this trend is not limited to the Go community but reflects a broader impact across different industries where AI tools have driven a wedge in skill gaps. Lee Sedol's reflections raise vital questions about the implications of AI on traditional skills and professions, suggesting that while AI can serve as a powerful learning tool, it may also exacerbate inequalities in expertise and understanding in the competitive landscape.