Humanoid robots are rapidly improving in their ability to perform tasks, but analysts and researchers say it will take years before they can meaningfully replace human labor. Demos by robotics firm Figure AI drew attention, yet questions remain over adaptability, reliability and costs in real-world settings. Experts say robots are most likely to replace repetitive physical work in structured environments, while AI may more readily replace administrative tasks. Charging, maintenance, safety and regulation are cited as barriers to broader deployment.

South Korea will expand its Top-Tier visa programme to cover professors and researchers in science and technology, widening eligibility beyond workers hired by companies in advanced industries. The Ministry of Science and ICT and the Justice Ministry said the change will take effect from June. The government is pursuing the \'Brain to Korea\' initiative, aiming to attract 2,000 outstanding overseas talents by 2030, with a target of 600 this year.