Startup Leaders Share Their Guide to Surviving in the AI Era: Diversity, Initiative, and Problem-Solving

"The key to coping with uncertainty in the AI era is diversity and self-direction."

– An attitude that recognizes 'diversity' and 'difference' is directly related to the survival of both companies and individuals.

Talents with a "self-directed attitude" and "problem-solving skills" will survive in the AI era.

On the 12th, Startup Alliance held the "2026 Women in Startups Conference" at Dream Plus Gangnam in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Commemorating International Women's Day (March 8th), the conference was designed to share insights into the growth and development of women working in the startup industry.

The conference, held under the theme "The Secret of Diversity: Increasing Survival Rates in an Age of Uncertainty," sought to explore strategies for overcoming uncertainty amidst the massive changes brought about by the rapid advancement of AI.

The first speaker, Data Oven CEO Yongho Ha, delivered a keynote speech titled "To those of you who are still struggling with AI anxiety today," offering insights that both startup practitioners and executives can take note of. "This is a confusing time for everyone, regardless of seniority," Ha said. "We need to constantly ask ourselves what it means to be responsible for the beginning and end of work, and we need to have a proactive attitude that never stops learning." He went on to point out that "just being functionally proficient with AI doesn't solve all problems," emphasizing, "We need to be able to break down difficult problems into easier solutions, and in areas where the right answer is ambiguous, we need to be able to make decisions that AI cannot."

Lee Ji-young, a senior researcher at Startup Alliance, presented the results of a survey on startup boards and gender diversity. An analysis of 1,122 registered directors at 250 major domestic startups revealed that the average percentage of female directors was a mere 6.9%. Lee pointed out that boards with a single perspective struggle to detect complex market risks and may also have limitations in accurately identifying customer needs. She explained, "Gender diversity can lead to tangible results because it: 1) prevents groupthink and broadens the spectrum of market opportunity and risk perception; 2) bridges new external networks and expertise, providing a resource-based perspective essential for corporate survival; and 3) signals to the market and investors that a company has transparent and rational governance."

Kakao Style CEO Seo Jeong-hoon explained the organizational changes the company has actually pursued and the type of talent it seeks under the topic of “Case studies of organizations that turn diversity into performance.” Seo likened the current situation to “navigating a storm with sailors who are still trying to row despite having acquired a supersonic engine called AI.” He said that the era of living a lifetime with a skill acquired once is over, and that only a system of continuous retraining will allow an organization to survive. Seo continued by introducing the way the “GUILD,” an “ultra-small elite team,” handles work, saying, “We have restructured the organization to be lighter and more agile, so that one or two experts with AI assistance can handle the work that used to be done by 10 teams.” He also explained how they have redesigned the process into an AI-first workflow, where AI drafts and humans approve, moving away from the premise that people do the work.

Krafton's Director Jeong Bo-ra shared her experience on the topic of "Global Career Growth Roadmap." Director Jeong emphasized that a career requires a North Star, a guiding light, to guide your progress toward specific goals. She explained that taking the time to objectively reflect on your temperament and work capabilities, similar to analyzing yourself with the MBTI, can be a valuable resource for career progression. She also shared her own experience as a board member, advisor, and angel investor, stating, "Just as with a property portfolio, planning and creating a career portfolio can be beneficial for growth and development."

Choi Jae-hwa, CEO of Beongaejangteo, shared his focus on the topic, "The Attitude for Growth Beyond Boundaries: From Practical Details to Management Impact," explaining what he has focused on as he rose from a practitioner to a manager. "Throughout my career, my industry and my job responsibilities have constantly changed, but my focus on problem-solving has remained constant," Choi said. "It's helpful to look at the same problem from different perspectives and perspectives." He also cited the message of Sheryl Sandberg's "Lean In," adding, "It's helpful to approach work with a proactive attitude and not limit your own capabilities."

In the panel discussion that followed the session, the consensus was that only organizations with a culture that recognizes diversity and differences can survive, and that individuals must also develop problem-solving skills with a self-directed attitude to establish themselves as irreplaceable talents in the AI era.