[Interview] Professor Kihoon Kim on His New Book 『Platform Business in the Age of AI』

“Even in the era of AI, the success principles of platform businesses remain valid, but the impact of AI on platform businesses is significant.” 

Even as AI technology fundamentally reshapes the business paradigm, the essence of platform businesses remains unchanged. Professor Kihoon Kim’s new book, 『Platform Business in the Age of AI』, offers deep insights into the structure and evolution of platform business models and the transformative effects of AI. Through this book, Professor Kim seeks to present the core principles of platform strategy and a future-oriented perspective. 

Q. What motivated you to write 『Platform Business in the Age of AI』? 

A. The idea first came to me in 2012 when I participated in a seminar at Gyeongsang National University. Rather than presenting an academic paper, I had been invited to explain the concept of platform economy and strategy in a way that undergraduate students could easily understand. After spending an entire day traveling to and from Jinju, I thought to myself, “If I organize this material into a book, I could share this knowledge with a much wider audience.” 

I began writing in earnest about three years ago. On a flight back from an academic conference in the U.S., I listened to an audiobook of Malcolm Gladwell’s MasterClass on writing. As I listened, I felt a strong conviction that the time had come for me to write a book. After years of contemplation, that moment marked the true beginning of this project. 

Q. What are the core messages you aimed to convey through this book? 

A. First and foremost, I emphasize that no matter how advanced AI becomes, the fundamental structure and survival principles of platform businesses remain valid. A platform essentially serves as an intermediary that connects Group A and Group B. The rules of survival and competition that arise from this structure remain largely unaffected by the advent of AI. 

Another message I wanted to convey is that while many people associate platform businesses with innovation, I believe the term evolution is more appropriate. For example, American Express originally began as an express delivery company and, over the course of nearly 100 years, evolved into a credit card platform business. Many platform models grow not through sudden innovation, but through gradual, long-term evolution. 

Finally, many startups and manufacturing-centered conglomerates still tend to think, “We have nothing to do with platform strategy.” I believe that mindset needs to change. Just as Apple evolved from a computer manufacturer into a platform company through the iPhone OS and App Store, manufacturers today can no longer regard themselves as unrelated to platform strategy. Korean companies—Samsung included—should actively explore opportunities to enter platform businesses by leveraging their existing customer bases. 

Q. How do you see AI technology impacting platform businesses? 

A. The most immediate impact of AI is the enhancement of matching technologies. Platforms like YouTube and Amazon, which actively leverage AI, analyze user behavior data to deliver more precise and personalized services. This, in turn, boosts user loyalty and further solidifies the dominance of leading platforms. 

At the same time, AI is likely to accelerate user multi-homing, thereby increasing the survival chances of new platforms. For example, when searching for real estate listings, users in Korea often use four major apps: Zigbang, Hogangnono, Naver Real Estate, and Dabang. Even if these apps dominate the market, a new platform that leverages AI to offer a better user experience could still attract users—at least until the incumbent platforms catch up with similar AI features. 

Another notable change is that generative AI could serve as a direct touchpoint between customers and platforms. For instance, if a user says, “I want to travel to Disneyland in LA,” current AI systems might simply create an itinerary. But in the near future, AI could evolve into a full-service assistant that even books flights. In such a scenario, AI becomes the intermediary between the customer and the travel platform, fundamentally transforming how platforms are used. 

Q. How do you interpret the spread of generative AI and its effect on the platform market? 

A. Generative AI has the potential to emerge as a new kind of player in the platform market. Take KakaoTalk, for instance—it built a large user base by offering free messaging, and later expanded into a full-fledged platform by adding features such as digital gifting and content sales. In a similar vein, generative AI tools like ChatGPT could leverage their massive user base to integrate with various platform services or even create entirely new ecosystems. 

Ultimately, generative AI is both a technology with built-in platform capabilities and a potential launchpad for developing new platforms. 

Q. What advice would you give to Korea University Business School students on how to approach this book? 

A. If you're new to platform business, I recommend reading Chapters 1 through 6 to build a solid understanding of the basic concepts and structural foundations. These chapters are designed to help readers grasp the core principles in a step-by-step manner. 

For students who already have some background knowledge or are interested in launching a platform-related startup, Chapters 7, 8, and 9 will be especially valuable. Chapter 7 presents a range of platform evolution cases, Chapter 8 explores how traditional companies have successfully transitioned into platform-based models, and Chapter 9 analyzes the impact of AI on platform ecosystems. These chapters offer practical insights that can help readers deepen their understanding and apply what they’ve learned to real-world situations. 

Q. What was the most difficult or memorable part of writing this book? 

A. The most difficult part was staying committed and seeing the manuscript through to the end. At times, I questioned whether people would actually find the book engaging. During those moments, my family’s support was a tremendous source of motivation. More importantly, I was able to keep going because I believed the book could offer unique value to readers. 

While many books on platform business are rich in information, they often fall short in providing actionable insights or practical guidance. I wanted to make complex concepts easier to grasp—not through one-sided explanations, but by presenting real-world examples that readers could relate to and empathize with. In particular, I tried to convey the core of platform business through stories that reflect the actual experiences of companies and users, so that readers could understand the subject more naturally and intuitively. 

Q. Do you have any upcoming research or writing plans? 

A. I plan to continue my research on the platform economy while also exploring, from an academic perspective, how AI is reshaping business. These days, it’s clear that many people are deeply interested in the impact of AI—just take a look at the variety of books lining the shelves at bookstores. From technical guides on how to use AI to general interest books on its societal implications, AI is a topic of widespread fascination. My next goal is to delve into how AI is influencing both the business world and our daily lives, and to capture those insights in a future book. 

I also run a YouTube channel called Kihoon Kim’s Business Insight, where I explain topics such as platforms, technology, and business strategy in a simple and engaging way. For stories that didn’t make it into the book or insights on the latest trends, I hope to reach more people through this channel. If you’re interested in platforms, AI, or business strategy, I encourage you to check it out. 

 ▶ [Click here to visit Kihoon Kim’s Business Insight YouTube channel]