South Korea at the Crossroads: Tradition, Technology, and the Impact of AI on the Society

Giuseppina De Nicola

doi:10.6092/issn.2039-2281/20969

Authors

Giuseppina De Nicola University of Turin https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2432-9380

Giuseppina De Nicola is a Koreanist and an anthropologist. She holds a PhD in cultural anthropology from Seoul National University. She is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Korean Studies Program at the University of Torino. She has been a visiting lecturer, visiting researcher in South Korea, and vice-president of the Association of Korean Studies in Europe (2017-2019).

She is the author of essays and journal articles such as Creativity in pivot audiovisual translation. Parasite subtitled and dubbed in Italian (2023); Squid Game. Analysis of the Dramaturgical Structure of the Series (Season 1) (2022); Recollections, imagery and dream in South Korean family photographs at the dawn of the 21st century (2020). Korean Society and Family System (2018).

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6092/issn.2039-2281/20969

Keywords:

AI, robot, South Korea, public use of technology

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is significantly transforming South Korea, influencing various sectors from industry to entertainment. The purpose of this article is to analyze certain cultural characteristics and the driving force behind South Korea's embrace of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across various sectors: tech industry (industrial automotation, predictive maintenance, smart manufacturing), healthcare (diagnostics, personalized medicine, and patient care management) and education (personalized learning experience and administration). In entertainment, AI-driven virtual influencers like Rozy have gained immense popularity. Additionally, K-dramas are integrating humanoid robots, such as in Are You Human too? South Korea's commitment to AI is evident in its policies and investments, positioning it as a global leader in this field, demonstrating AI's vast potential to enhance various aspects of life and industry.

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South Korea at the Crossroads: Tradition, Technology, and the Impact of AI on the Society

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