19 June 2025, Seoul – Rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI) are opening new opportunities while presenting unprecedented challenges to human development. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) today launched the Human Development Report 2025, titled “A Matter of Choice: People and Possibilities in the Age of AI” in the Republic of Korea, urging bold and ethical choices to ensure that AI enhances–rather than erodes–human capabilities.

The report reveals a unique yet troubling trend: the widening gap between high and low Human Development Index (HDI) countries, coupled with a wild card of an ever-developing AI ecosystem and its yet obscure relationship with human development.

“AI has the power to be a tool for human progress–but only if our choices steer it in that direction. The future will not be determined by technology alone, but by how we choose to use it,” explained Pedro Conceição, Director of the UNDP Human Development Report Office and lead author of the report in his overview of the report’s global findings.

As AI transforms economies, labour markets, and decision-making systems, the world is at a critical crossroads. Without intentional action, AI could deepen inequalities and undermine human agency.

“Amidst these challenges, the report offers a message of hope. It reminds us that the future is not predetermined–it is a matter of choice,” said Anne Juepner, Director of the UNDP Seoul Policy Centre, in her welcome remarks. “At UNDP Seoul Policy Centre, we are committed to translating these insights into action–by connecting Korea’s experiences with partners around the world and co-creating knowledge.”

“The Report suggests that people remain hopeful that AI can improve their lives… It is our shared responsibility to ensure that this optimism becomes tomorrow’s reality, instead of triggering an AI divide. I believe that the linchpin is our investment in quality education for all. Education will determine whether AI serves the many or just the few,” remarked Jonghan Park, Director-General for Development Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea.

This year’s report was first released globally on 6 May in Brussels. To broaden the conversation within Korean society, the Korea launch event was co-hosted by UNDP Seoul Policy Centre, UNDP Human Development Report Office, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea. As one of the major donors to UNDP, the Republic of Korea has sponsored the Human Development Report since 2019.

The launch featured three panel discussions featuring Korean experts from diverse backgrounds focusing on the report’s core themes. Moderated by Jungwook Kim, Executive Director of the Center for International Development (CID) at the Korea Development Institute (KDI), the first session on “Building a complementarity economy: Shaping AI to expand economic opportunities and human potential” explored institutional frameworks and policy measures to promote inclusive labour markets in the AI era with panelists Seung Yub Yang (Research Fellow, Korea Labor Institute; KLI) and Hyun Kyong Lee (Research Fellow, Department of Digital Society Strategy Research, Korea Information Society Development Institute; KISDI).

The second panel on “Driving innovation with intent: Advancing innovation and R&D to serve human development and ethical AI use” highlighted private sector leadership and ethical responsibility in AI R&D. The session was chaired by Yoon Ko, Vice President of the National Information Society Agency (NIA), with panelists Woochul Park (Legal Counsel, NAVER) and Changhyeon Lee (Manager, AI Work Service Planning Team, AIX, SK Telecom).

The final session featured a youth roundtable on “Investing in capabilities that count: Building an inclusive AI future with the digital generation” moderated by Jaehong Park, Dean of the Department of Future Science & Technology Business at Korea University, with insights from Yejin Choi (CEO of Dubu Inc. and UNDP Generation17 Young Leader) and Ahrum Choi (Social Impact Director of Dot Inc.). Discussions centred on bridging digital divides and supporting youth mental health, education, and resilience.

The launch event brought together more than 270 participants from international organizations, governments, academia, research institutes, the private sector, civil society organizations, and youth groups joining both in-person and via livestream.

Published since 1990, the Human Development Report (available at https://hdr.undp.org/) is an independent publication commissioned by the United Nations Development Programme to assess trends, raise awareness about human development around the world and prompt policy dialogue to promote sustainable human development.

To view the full report, visit: https://hdr.undp.org/content/human-development-report-2025

About the United Nations Development Programme

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. Learn more at undp.org or follow at @UNDP.

About UNDP Seoul Policy Centre

UNDP Seoul Policy Centre is a facilitator of innovative development cooperation to catalyse the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Through its SDG Partnerships programme and other South-South and Triangular Cooperation initiatives, the Centre supports countries by sharing innovative, tested-and-proven practices and policy tools on strategic development issues globally. Learn more at undp.org/policy-centre/seoul or follow at @UNDPSPC.

Annex: Korea’s Human Development Index (HDI)

Source: Human Development Reports – Korea (Republic of)

Republic of Korea’s Human Development Index (HDI) value for 2023 is 0.937 – which puts the country in the Very High human development category – positioning it at 20 out of 193 countries and territories. Between 1990 and 2023, Republic of Korea’s HDI value changed from 0.738 to 0.937, a change of 27.0 percent.