South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT said on Tuesday it published a book titled "Survival Manual for the Age of AI Agents" covering the impact AI agents could have across society and the direction of policy responses.

The manual analyses how AI agents could affect individuals' daily lives and the labour market, education, democracy and national security, based on the results of the 2025 technology impact assessment. It also includes key issues and policy recommendations presented in a citizen forum and survey in which experts and members of the public participated.

AI agents are autonomous AI systems that go beyond understanding user instructions by making plans on their own, searching for information and using digital tools and services to carry out objectives.

With their use expanding to personal assistants, research aides and work automation tools, they are expected to bring changes to human decision-making and work practices.

The manual said the spread of AI agents could contribute to higher productivity and the creation of new industries, but could also cause problems including expanded use of personal information, unclear accountability, changes in job structures, the spread of disinformation and deepening dependence on technology.

It said that as AI becomes more autonomous, how humans control and supervise it, responsibility for AI decisions and securing social trust would become key challenges.

The manual covers expected changes in nine areas including the relationship between humans and AI, labour changes, protection and use of personal information, future education, industrial innovation, digital sovereignty and security, AI sustainability, responsibility, and civil society and democracy.

It presented key policy tasks including building an AI accountability system, improving systems for protecting and using personal information, fostering AI talent and strengthening lifelong education, creating environments for collaboration between humans and AI, securing AI safety and reliability, and strengthening digital sovereignty and national competitiveness.

Hong Soon-jung (홍순정), director general for performance evaluation and policy at MSIT, said, "To ensure the benefits of technology spread across society, securing accountability and trustworthiness is more important than anything else." He added, "Through a technology impact assessment in which experts and citizens participate together, we will form social consensus on future technologies and seek desirable directions for development."

The manual will be available from Wednesday on the websites of MSIT and the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Planning and Evaluation (KISTEP).