Korea's AI kingdom: The debate South Korea needs – and is not having

An invisible revolution driven by AI agents—small programs created by average users to automate tasks like scheduling, shopping, and email—is rapidly transforming workplaces in South Korea and globally, yet the country is not having the necessary public debate about the implications, according to an unnamed commentator. These agents, initially limited and unreliable, are becoming capable enough for business use, raising questions about the future of human labor in administrative roles.

There is an invisible revolution taking place throughout Korea and the world that we do not see — it is called artificial intelligence AI agents, small programs designed with the use of AI that do small things on our behalf. They can sort your data, go through your shopping list, search and even buy items for you, run your schedules, draft and answer your emails and many more. What is unique is that they are created by tinkering by average persons, like you and me. At first, many of these agents are limited and unreliable. But users test them, fail and adjust their instructions and tools, and gradually make them more capable. Some have already become reliable enough for use in businesses. Employers are now asking whether agents can run routine administrative tasks and if humans are actually needed to do them. The consequences are huge. For now, most agents appear modest: a research assistant here, an automated scheduler there. Yet they are likely to become standard features of computers, phones, messaging platforms and workplaces far sooner than most governments are prepared for. I