[Insight & Opinion] Human Care Service Industry Emerges as a Megatrend

The Era of AI and Longevity: Physical and Mental Health Take Center Stage
Boosting Competitiveness in the Dream and Happiness Industries

All businesses in this world are connected through service. Every activity inevitably involves customers, and as long as there are customers, it can be considered a service. In fact, as economies develop into advanced countries, the proportion of the service industry, which is the tertiary industry, increases compared to the primary and secondary industries, with the average among OECD member countries reaching 71%.

A megatrend refers to a massive change trend that continues to have a significant impact over a long period. How will the megatrends of the service industry unfold in the future?

The first is the already underway expansion of AI-based intelligent services. Over the past 30 years, we have experienced the transition from a service industry centered on simple labor to a digital-based knowledge service industry in our daily lives. Going forward, intelligent services utilizing artificial intelligence beyond digital technology are expected to be rapidly integrated across all industrial sectors.

One of the major trends emerging in the process of AI-based service transformation is the widespread adoption of humanoid robot services equipped with AI and resembling humans. The author predicts that by around 2030, the number of artificial humans called humanoid robots will exceed 20 million domestically alone, becoming as common as smartphones are today. AI-equipped artificial humans will coexist with humans and provide almost all services desired by individuals in an intelligent and customized manner.

The second is the expansion of human care services. The two A revolutions of the 21st century, the AI revolution and the Age revolution, are fundamentally changing human life. The era of artificial intelligence and longevity particularly heralds new growth in the health care and education learning industries. As living to 100 or 120 years becomes common, health becomes increasingly important, and with the spread of AI and the acceleration of change, the importance of mental health grows alongside physical health. In the AI era and longevity era, continuously acquiring new skills required by the new age and working and being active for a long time will become natural, thus lifelong education and learning over more than 100 years will be necessary. Along with health and education, the next-generation human service industry that cares for and nurtures people is also expected to grow.

The third is the expansion of the dream industry, self-industry, and happiness industry. The ultimate future service industry supports individuals’ dreams, self, and happiness, including a healthy body and mind, family and relationships, dreams and capabilities, culture, and arts. As Danish futurist Rolf Jensen argued in his books Dream Society and Renaissance Society, as the importance of multi-value growth beyond economic growth and the pursuit of quality of life and happiness for each individual spreads, the dream industry and happiness industry will grow even more.

South Korea has successfully developed industrial competitiveness over the past 60 years in the order of light industry, heavy and chemical industry, and advanced industry. From now on, in response to the megatrends of the service industry, let us create new industries and enhance global competitiveness in AI service industry, health care and education learning industries, and the dream and happiness industries.

From the perspective of the megatrends in the service industry, South Korea is hopeful. Based on the successful experience of leading the world’s best digital services, it can cultivate an AI-based intelligent service industry with global competitiveness. The most talented workforce is engaged in health care and education learning industries, and the public’s enthusiasm for education and health needs is also among the highest in the world. Let us make good use of this positive energy from both demand and supply sides to foster a 21st-century human care service industry. Let us also nurture the dream industry, self-industry, and happiness industry.

Kim Hyun-gon, Director of the National Assembly Future Institute