On September 2, at the Grand Ballroom of The Plaza Hotel in Seoul, the first day of the 18th Good Growth, Good Jobs Global Forum (2026 GGGF) featured discussions on physical artificial intelligence (AI). The event was attended by over 300 prominent figures from politics and industry, including National Assembly Speaker Cho Jeong-sik.
The forum began with a keynote speech by Dennis Hong, a professor at UCLA and director of the RoMeLa research lab, titled 'The Realization of AI Civilization Depends on Physical AI Competitiveness.' Hong energetically introduced the physical AI technology that is already becoming a reality.
Professor Hong explained, 'While traditional AI like GPT operates from data recognition to autonomy and control, physical AI functions in an end-to-end manner from sensors to actuators.' He noted that methods for training physical AI include video simulations, human demonstrations, and self-learning, but that effective solutions are still under research in the market.
He introduced the home humanoid robot 'NEO' as an example of physical AI, stating, 'NEO operates by being remotely controlled to assist with household tasks.' NEO is sold in the U.S. market for $20,000, with a subscription model available at $499 per month.
Attendees listened intently to the speaker, with some students capturing images and recording audio of the presentation on their smartphones.
Kim, a 50-year-old attendee, remarked, 'I was particularly pleased to see the latest trends in emerging physical AI. While I have encountered robots from Chinese and foreign companies, it was fascinating to see robots being developed in actual research settings.'
There was also significant interest in the impact of the AI transition on youth employment. Lee Geum-ryong, chairman of Coglo.com, presented on 'The Future of Youth Employment in the Era of AI Transition,' stating, 'As AI that replaces repetitive and mechanical tasks becomes more prevalent, youth hiring has significantly decreased. Bold support is needed to ensure that youth-centered startups can participate in new business sectors.'
Kim Seong-won, a senior researcher at the Korea Economic Association, emphasized, 'The AI transition is an inevitable megatrend across industries, but as a new industrial ecosystem forms, it can create opportunities for new job creation. I hope the younger generation can leverage their AI skills to seize new opportunities as AI is integrated into traditional manufacturing.'
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.