[The Future of Labor, The Impact of Physical AI]④Cha Jiho: "Not the End of Labor, But Shared Intelligence... The AI Basic Society Is the Answer"

Physical AI: The End of Labor or a Step in Human Evolution?

Asking Four Global Thought Leaders and Policy Experts About the Future of Work

Editor's NoteThe era of 'Physical AI,' where artificial intelligence (AI) that once existed only on screens now inhabits robotic bodies to perform real-world labor, has arrived. Recently, the conflict between technological advancement and employment instability has become a reality, as seen in the strong opposition from Hyundai Motor labor union to the introduction of the bipedal robot 'Atlas.' Is Physical AI a harbinger of the end of labor, or is it an evolutionary step that will expand humanity's capabilities? The Asia Business Daily asks four global thought leaders and policy experts-Professor Jerry Kaplan of Stanford University, Professor Ken Goldberg of UC Berkeley, Professor Seo Yongseok of KAIST, and Cha Jiho, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea-about the future of human labor. In a four-part series, we seek alternatives and coexistence strategies for the era of the population cliff, going beyond the shock of technology.

"The era when intelligence was monopolized has ended. What we now need is not a dystopia where AI replaces humans, but a new blueprint for society that converts wealth created by technology into universal welfare."

Jaeho Cha, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is giving an interview to The Asia Business Daily in his National Assembly office. February 26, 2026. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

On February 26, during an interview with The Asia Business Daily in his National Assembly office, Cha Jiho, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, asserted that the cycle of change brought on by artificial intelligence (AI) is 15 years. He emphasized that society must prepare for these changes within this period. This is not an issue for future generations; if we do not respond immediately, both the current workforce and future generations, as well as the Korean economy and society, risk missing the 'golden time' to move forward into a new era shaped by AI.

Cha stresses, "It is already too late if we respond after changes have occurred," and underscores the importance of 'scenario-based governance,' which involves anticipating and preparing for scenarios 15 years ahead. He stated, "Within 15 years, the basic cycle of AI-driven changes will be established. If we wait to respond until these changes arrive, it will be too late; we must have scenarios in place and begin preparing now."

This suggests that the policy framework developed during the early five years of the Lee Jaemyung administration will become the core strategy that determines the fate of Korea over the next 15 years.

He particularly emphasizes the importance of the early five years of the Lee administration, diagnosing that "the model for society created during this period will serve as a prototype for the following 10 years." The foundation for economic and social change in the AI era must be established now, not just for the president's five-year term but for the years that follow as well.

Cha first emphasizes the democratization of intelligence and the redefinition of labor in the age of artificial intelligence. He contemplates how labor will change in the 'era of brain collaboration' ushered in by AI. Cha believes that fears about 'Physical AI (robots)' completely replacing manual labor are somewhat exaggerated. He points out, "It will not be easy to completely replace the human body, which is much more sophisticated and efficient than robots." His concerns are not limited to the impact of Physical AI on physical labor. He believes that the repercussions of AI in office and service sectors will be even greater.

He analyzes, "Because the efficiency of the human body is so superior, it is difficult for robots to have overwhelming advantages, but the brain is different. AI can efficiently augment the brain."

Accordingly, he argues that the labor structure should be designed as a 'Connected Intelligence' system, where humans and AI work together, rather than a system in which AI replaces humans.

He agrees on the need for long-term universal basic income (UBI) to cope with societal disruptions such as unemployment among both factory and office workers following the introduction of AI. However, he argues that during the transition period, an 'AI Basic Society' would serve as an even stronger safety net.

During the AI transition, it is highly likely that social pain will emerge even before sufficient resources to support basic income are accumulated. Under the current capitalist system, simple cash distribution faces both limitations and resistance.

Cha points out the practical reality that "not only will it be difficult to secure resources for universal basic income during the AI transition, but the capitalist system will not easily accept such a measure."

Ultimately, he diagnoses that, rather than direct cash transfers, the final safety net to absorb the shock induced by AI will be scaling up healthcare, education, finance, and welfare systems with AI so that all citizens can access universal services.

Cha Jiho, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is being interviewed by The Asia Business Daily at the National Assembly office. February 26, 2026. Photo by Kim Hyunmin.

He gave a specific example in the financial sector, stating, "AI can reduce the financial decision-making risks faced by individuals, making it possible to offer 'basic loans' at low interest rates within market logic."

To protect workers during this period of change, he proposed 'AI Transition Insurance.' This would cover income gaps for workers who need to change jobs or retrain due to rapid technological shifts and help them acquire skills to collaborate with AI. Cha declared, "Just as the IMF financial crisis was not the fault of individuals, the immense wave of AI is also an area where the nation and its leadership must take responsibility and design systems."

Cha recalled, "The policy of an AI Basic Society was also created here during the period of martial law, as I balanced day and night work," and stated that with President Lee taking office and making the AI Basic Society a state agenda, there is now an opportunity for rapid implementation.

For the realization of these policies, he is working not only with the National Assembly, the ruling party, and the government, but also on the global stage. Having returned from the United States just two days prior, Cha predicted, "Cooperation with BlackRock, a global asset manager, will be a driving force for Korea to preempt global markets such as the unmet medical needs of developing countries, which are expected to expand on a massive scale." He expects Korea's status in the AI era to change, opening up new economic opportunities. Cha also led the way for BlackRock, the world's largest fund, to invest in Korea during President Lee Jaemyung's visit to New York last year.

In response to the question of whether this goal is overly utopian, Cha emphasized, "I do not envision a utopian future. I am someone who dreams of hope within an extreme dystopia."

As a humanitarian activist, he said, "I have learned painfully how climate crises, wars, and pandemics can destroy social systems," and stressed, "The changes Korea will face could be extremely dystopian if left alone, but we can avoid catastrophe only by using AI as a tool to establish response systems." To him, AI is virtually the only 'tool of hope' to prevent the collapse of human civilization.

He also pointedly remarked, "There need to be more people in the National Assembly and government who can predict how our society will change based on a technical understanding and who can design systems accordingly."

The reason he entered the National Assembly, instead of remaining a professor offering only advice, was his judgment that he could not keep pace with the speed of change otherwise. Positioning himself as a bridge between technology and politics, he is leading the design of future-oriented systems within the National Assembly.

Cha stated, "Korea is the first country in the world to confront the future, and is therefore extremely important in human history. Just as Europe and the United States once shaped the global order, I will ensure that Korea becomes a country that creates a new order for the world." Rather than following rules made by great powers, his vision for Korea is to become a nation that writes the 'rules of the game' itself for the sustainable future of humanity. This is the next vision for Korea as imagined by Cha Jiho.

Jaeho Cha, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is being interviewed by The Asia Business Daily at the National Assembly member's office. February 26, 2026 Photo by Hyunmin Kim

▲Who is Cha Jiho? = A future systems designer with a background as a humanitarian activist. After studying medicine and spending over 20 years in organizations such as Doctors Without Borders, witnessing the collapse of global systems, he transitioned to academia and has been reflecting on the future. This is why he believes technology should not alienate humans but instead serve as a tool to save those at the lowest rungs of society. He is currently serving as a key brain in the National Assembly to implement the Lee Jaemyung administration's 'AI Basic Society' initiative.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.