- A new survey by the Bank of Korea (5,512 workers, conducted in May–June 2025) shows that 63.5% of South Korean workers have used generative AI, with 51.8% using it for work. This figure is double that of the US (26.5% according to a late 2024 NBER study).
- South Koreans use AI for an average of 5–7 hours/week, accounting for 12–17% of a 40-hour work week, significantly higher than the US (1–5%). 78.5% of AI users in South Korea spend at least 1 hour/day, 2.5 times more than in the US (31.8%). Among them, 90.2% exceed 1 hour/day, compared to 50.2% in the US.
- ChatGPT is the dominant tool: 67.8% of Korean users choose ChatGPT, while Google Gemini accounts for only 19.5%. South Korea now has the second-highest number of paid ChatGPT subscribers in the world, after the US.
- Workers report that AI helps reduce their work time by an average of 1.5 hours/week, equivalent to 3.8% of their time, which is lower than the 5.4% in the US. Researchers estimate that if this saved time were redirected to production, AI could have contributed an additional 1 percentage point to South Korea’s GDP growth since late 2022 (total growth of 3.9%).
- However, 50% did not save any time, and 3.2% even had to work more due to the need to edit AI outputs.
- New entrants to the workforce benefit the most thanks to the “leveling effect” – AI helps bridge the skills gap with veteran employees.
- Attitudes towards AI are predominantly positive: 48.6% believe AI will bring benefits, while only 17.5% are concerned about negative impacts. Those who have used AI are more optimistic (53.6%).
- About 33.4% of workers plan to learn new skills, and 31.1% are considering a job change to adapt. 32.3% are willing to contribute to a national AI development fund, which could raise up to 38 trillion won ($27.3 billion) over 5 years.
📌 South Korea is emerging as the fastest adopter of AI: 51.8% of workers use AI for work, double the rate in the US. On average, they spend 5–7 hours/week on AI, potentially contributing an additional 1% to GDP since late 2022. ChatGPT dominates with 67.8% of users, making South Korea the second-largest market for paid subscriptions globally. Although 50% have not yet saved time, the majority remain optimistic and are willing to invest 38 trillion won (~$27.3 billion) in the future of AI.
