Discourses on Care Technologies for the Elderly and People with Disabilities

The recent developments of artificial intelligence(AI) presented at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), 2025 in the United States suggest that it now possesses sufficient capabilities to replace humans in certain domains, if not entirely. In fact, there is growing anticipation for the realization of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). In super-aged societies, elderly care remains a pressing issue, and similarly, individuals with disabilities also require consistent and essential care. In modern society, human caregiving shows increasing limitations. and technology is presented as a potential solution. The Korean government has continuously prioritized the development of care robots for the elderly and individuals with disabilities as a core national agenda, offering sustained investment and policy-level support for research and development. This study aims to explore the public perceptions of care robots shaped by media,

This study analyzed news articles published between January 2020 and January 2025. Using the AI-based platform Big Kinds (https://www.bigkinds.or.kr/), news articles were collected with the keyword “care robot” from 11 national newspapers and 5 major broadcasters in Korea. The articles were organized into a thematic database for analysis.

This study categorizes 236 news articles related to AI-based care technologies into nine thematic areas. 1) Social Expansion of AI-based Care and the Care Economy (6 articles), 2) Operation and Increased Use of Smart Care Systems(16 articles), 3) Regional Strategies for Introducing AI Care Industries(29 articles), 4) Silver Economy and Age-Tech Industry Policies(5 articles), 5) AI-based Care for the Elderly and Societal Responses(22 articles) 6) Technology-centered Development of AI Care Robots(25 articles), 7) Outcomes of Care Services and User Responses(18 articles), 8) Role of AI in Supporting Families (6 articles), 9) Support for Isolated Areas and Vulnerable Populations(109 articles).

Major newspapers and broadcasters rarely reported on critical perspectives such as ethical issues or resistance to care technologies. Instead, they have emphasized technology-based care as a natural goal, framed within predominantly positive and future-oriented discourse. Robots serve not only industrial and economic purposes but also cultural ones. However, the current AI care industry overlooks cultural aspects, focusing on progress of technology and marketability. There is little discussion on what care robots mean to older adults and people with disabilities or whether their cultural needs and experiences are being considered. This trend seems driven by media framing the technology in a positive light, which reinforces government support. Therefore, in the field of social welfare, it is important to form discourse from the users' perspective to foster more user-centered public opinion.