What it takes to be a player in the international AI game

The global AI landscape is not a US-only phenomenon—Song Yi Yun, Managing Partner at PVP Venture, argues that while the US leads in foundational AI infrastructure, countries worldwide are rapidly adopting and customizing AI to fit local languages, cultures, and business practices. She reveals that AI development is inherently global, with supply chains relying on non-US semiconductor and material sources, and that successful AI applications require deep localization beyond simple fine-tuning. From sovereign AI initiatives in Europe and Korea to AI-powered entertainment experiences like immersive games that blend phone calls and Zoom interactions, the innovation is both widespread and culturally specific. Yun emphasizes that the real value in AI isn't automation alone, but human-led reinvention—founders must grow at exponential speed to match their companies, and CEOs remain irreplaceable due to their lived experience and judgment. VCs, she argues, are more than capital providers; they act as personal therapists, board members, and connectors. The future of software engineering is shifting toward AI-assisted workflows, but human accountability remains non-negotiable. The episode challenges the myth of a monolithic AI race, instead painting a picture of a fragmented, adaptive, and deeply human-driven global transformation. Success isn't about copying US models, but about building context-aware, culturally grounded solutions with strong data flywheels and visionary leadership.