Table of Contents
Key Takeaway
- 🇰🇷 Korea’s AI Obsession: South Korea has the lowest AI concern rate globally — only 16% are more worried than excited, compared to 50% of Americans, according to Pew Research Center surveys across 25 countries.
- 👷 OFW Connection: Tens of thousands of OFWs work in South Korea’s manufacturing, healthcare, and tech sectors. Korea’s aggressive AI adoption directly impacts their workplaces, job security, and career prospects.
- 📚 AI Education Model: South Korea deploys AI textbooks in schools and AI eldercare robots in welfare centers — a model the Philippines could adapt for its own workforce development.
- 💰 Economic Opportunity: Korea’s semiconductor giants Samsung and SK Hynix (each valued above $1 trillion as of 2026) are major employers. OFWs with AI-adjacent skills can access higher-paying roles in these companies.
- ⚠️ Warning for OFWs: Korea’s light-touch AI regulation means rapid deployment without robust worker protections. OFWs should understand their rights as AI transforms their industries.
When Michelle Kim landed in Seoul after a 12-hour flight from San Francisco, she walked through an unmanned immigration checkpoint where a machine scanned her face and passport. On the subway, people were glued to phones powered by flawless 5G — even underground. A cartoon-eyed robot on wheels waited patiently at a crosswalk to deliver someone’s dinner. This is daily life in South Korea, a country that has embraced artificial intelligence with an enthusiasm unmatched anywhere else on Earth.
For the estimated 60,000+ overseas Filipino workers in South Korea, this AI-first reality is not abstract — it is the environment they work in, compete in, and must adapt to. South Korea’s love affair with AI has profound implications for OFWs: it shapes the jobs available, the skills required, and the future of Filipino labor in one of Asia’s most advanced economies.
South Korea’s AI Obsession: By the Numbers
Only 16% of South Koreans say they are more concerned than excited about AI — the lowest rate among 25 countries surveyed by the Pew Research Center. By contrast, 50% of Americans are more worried than excited. A majority of Koreans use AI every day, either as a personal assistant or to complete tasks at work, according to surveys by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism and the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The appetite for AI experimentation is visible everywhere. AI webcomics generate millions of reads. Virtual K-pop idols perform for sold-out crowds. Humanoid robots dressed as Buddhist monks meditate in temples. AI bus stops answer questions in multiple languages. Government agencies deploy AI textbooks in schools and AI eldercare robots in welfare centers.
“South Koreans share a deep conviction that embracing technology is integral to modernizing the country and cementing its place in the global order,” wrote Michelle Kim in MIT Technology Review. “Their fascination with AI is just the latest incarnation of that ethos — and it is making them anxious to stay ahead.”
Why OFWs Should Care About Korea’s AI Boom
South Korea is one of the top destinations for OFWs under the Employment Permit System (EPS). Filipino workers fill roles in manufacturing, shipbuilding, healthcare, agriculture, and increasingly, the tech sector. As Korea accelerates its AI adoption, these workers face both unprecedented opportunities and real risks.
1. Manufacturing jobs are being transformed — fast. Korea’s factories, where many OFWs work, are among the most automated in the world. The country has more industrial robots per worker than any other nation. AI-powered quality control, predictive maintenance, and supply chain optimization are becoming standard. OFWs who understand these systems — or can work alongside them — will have a significant advantage over those who cannot.
2. The semiconductor industry is booming — and hiring. Samsung and SK Hynix, each valued above $1 trillion as of 2026, dominate the global market for high-bandwidth memory chips that power AI training. These companies are expanding aggressively, and they need skilled workers. OFWs with technical backgrounds — even basic electronics or IT certifications — can access roles that pay significantly higher than traditional factory positions.
3. Healthcare and eldercare are adopting AI rapidly. Korea’s aging population has driven massive investment in AI eldercare robots and smart healthcare systems. Filipino nurses and caregivers working in Korea will increasingly work alongside AI tools — from diagnostic assistants to patient monitoring systems. Those who learn to use these tools effectively will be in higher demand.
4. The government is actively funding AI education. President Lee Jae-myung has pledged to make South Korea one of the “top three AI powers” alongside the US and China. The Presidential Council on National AI Strategy is investing heavily in computing power, sovereign AI models, and workforce training. OFWs who take advantage of government-funded upskilling programs can position themselves for better roles.
What You Don’t Know: The Hidden Risks for OFWs
South Korea’s AI enthusiasm has a less visible downside, particularly for foreign workers.
Light-touch regulation means fewer worker protections. Korea’s AI Basic Act, passed in 2024, prioritizes AI development over safety considerations. Seventy percent of South Koreans say advancing science and medicine through AI innovation is a bigger priority than protecting industries through regulation, according to the 2026 Stanford AI Index. For OFWs, this means that AI-driven workplace changes — including layoffs, role redefinitions, and surveillance — may happen with minimal legal safeguards.
Language barriers amplify the AI gap. Most AI tools and training programs in Korea are available only in Korean. OFWs with limited Korean language skills may find themselves excluded from AI-related upskilling opportunities, widening the gap between Korean and foreign workers.
Visa categories may not keep pace with job market changes. Korea’s EPS system categorizes foreign workers by sector and skill level. As AI transforms job requirements, existing visa categories may not reflect the new reality. OFWs may find themselves technically qualified for higher-level roles but unable to change visa status.
AI surveillance in the workplace is increasing. Korean companies are adopting AI-powered workplace monitoring systems — tracking productivity, attendance, and even emotional states. OFWs, who already face power imbalances with employers, may be particularly vulnerable to invasive surveillance.
How OFWs in Korea Can Prepare
1. Learn Korean — it is the gateway to AI opportunities. Even basic Korean (TOPIK Level 3 or above) opens doors to training programs, better jobs, and integration into Korea’s AI-driven economy. Free Korean language programs are available through EPS support centers and local welfare centers.
2. Pursue AI-adjacent certifications. Samsung, LG, and other major employers offer internal training programs. External certifications in data analysis, machine operation, or IT support can make OFWs more competitive. Online platforms like Coursera and K-MOOC (Korea’s free online learning platform) offer courses in both English and Korean.
3. Network with the Filipino community in Korea. Organizations like the Filipino Workers’ Association in Korea share information about job openings, training opportunities, and legal rights. Staying connected helps OFWs navigate the rapidly changing labor market.
4. Understand your legal rights. While Korea’s AI regulation is light-touch, labor laws still protect workers from unfair dismissal and workplace abuse. OFWs should familiarize themselves with the Korean Labor Standards Act and seek help from the EPS help desk or immigration office if they face AI-related workplace issues.
5. Consider the long-term picture. Korea’s AI boom will not last forever in its current form. As AI matures, some jobs will be automated entirely. OFWs should use their time in Korea to build skills and savings that will be valuable whether they return to the Philippines or move to another country.
The Bigger Picture: What the Philippines Can Learn
South Korea’s AI journey offers lessons for the Philippines — both as a government and as a nation of overseas workers. Korea rose from post-war poverty to economic powerhouse by betting on technology at every stage: steel and ships in the 1970s, semiconductors in the 1980s, broadband in the 1990s, smartphones in the 2000s, and AI today.
The Philippines, with its large, young, English-speaking workforce, could carve out a significant role in the global AI economy — but only if it invests in the right education and training. TESDA’s existing technical training programs could be expanded to include AI-adjacent skills. The government could negotiate bilateral agreements with Korea and other AI-leading countries to ensure OFWs are included in AI workforce development programs.
For now, OFWs in South Korea are on the front lines of the AI revolution. Their experiences — the opportunities they seize and the challenges they face — will shape how the Philippines prepares its workforce for an AI-driven future.
For more on AI and overseas work, read our coverage of humanoid robot operator jobs and the AI coding agents teaching robots.
FAQ
How many OFWs work in South Korea?
Approximately 60,000 or more Filipinos work in South Korea under the Employment Permit System (EPS), primarily in manufacturing, shipbuilding, healthcare, agriculture, and food service. Korea has been a top destination for OFWs since the EPS program began in 2004.
What is South Korea’s AI Basic Act?
The AI Basic Act, passed in 2024, is one of the world’s first comprehensive AI laws. It promotes AI development while establishing light-touch regulatory guardrails. Unlike the EU’s AI Act, which emphasizes risk-based regulation, Korea’s approach prioritizes innovation and economic growth over safety restrictions.
Can OFWs access AI training programs in South Korea?
Yes, though availability varies. Some programs require Korean language proficiency (TOPIK Level 3+). Free training is available through K-MOOC (Korea’s online learning platform), EPS support centers, and some employer-provided programs. OFWs should check with their local EPS office for current opportunities.
Will AI replace OFW jobs in South Korea?
AI will transform many OFW roles but is unlikely to eliminate them entirely in the near term. Manufacturing, healthcare, and service jobs will increasingly require working alongside AI tools. OFWs who develop AI-adjacent skills will be better positioned than those who do not. The Korean government’s focus on AI as economic policy means the pace of change will be rapid.
What rights do OFWs have if AI causes job loss?
Korean labor law requires employers to provide notice and severance for layoffs, regardless of whether the cause is AI-driven. OFWs facing job loss should contact the EPS help desk (1644-0644) or the nearest labor office for assistance. The Korean Workers’ Compensation and Welfare Service (COMWEL) may also provide support.
How does Korea’s AI adoption compare to other OFW destinations?
Korea is among the most aggressive AI adopters globally, alongside the US, China, and the UAE. Gulf states like Saudi Arabia and the UAE are also investing heavily in AI but focus more on government services and oil/gas applications. Japan, another major OFW destination, is more cautious about AI deployment. Korea’s combination of rapid AI adoption and large OFW population makes it a unique case.
This article was based on reporting by Michelle Kim originally published in MIT Technology Review on June 15, 2026. Original reporting adds context for OFW readers.
