Physical AI investment remains under 5% of total AI budget

During a National Assembly audit of the Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee, the importance of 'Physical AI'—AI integrated with robotics to perform physical tasks—was highlighted. While government investment in Physical AI is projected to increase by 162.9% to 462.2 billion KRW next year, it still accounts for less than 5% of the total AI budget.

To demonstrate the rapid advancement of the field, Chinese-made humanoid robots were showcased during the session, performing martial arts and dance movements. Representative Lee Jeong-heon raised concerns regarding China's dominance in the sector, noting that Chinese companies occupied the top six positions in global humanoid robot production last year.

Experts suggest that the Daegu-Gyeongbuk region is well-positioned to lead this industry by leveraging its existing manufacturing infrastructure, including automotive parts, machinery, and electronics. The government aims to establish a robot ecosystem that moves beyond entertainment to practical industrial applications, focusing on securing core foundation models and physical data.