Korea to Deploy AI Caregivers by 2028 as Aging Population Outpaces Human Labor

Physical artificial intelligence will begin assisting elderly care in Korea as early as 2028, according to government plans announced this week. The deployment of AI caregivers aims to address labor shortages in a rapidly aging population, where the average age of nursing care assistants is already 61. The Ministry of Science and ICT and the Ministry of Health and Welfare will develop specialized AI systems for nursing facilities, targeting tasks like repetitive documentation and night rounding. These systems will monitor residents’ conditions and respond to abnormalities in real time. For elderly individuals living alone, smart home models will integrate AI and IoT technology to provide continuous health monitoring and emotional support. The government will validate these technologies through on-site demonstrations before scaling deployment. The AI Welfare and Care Innovation Roadmap, detailing implementation plans, will be released by mid-year.