Chyung Eun-joo

As South Korea gears up to regulate artificial intelligence technology, following the footsteps of other jurisdictions like the EU, the stakes for major local tech players like Samsung and LG are rising, as official regulation will create stricter limitations for the development and use of AI in the market. The country’s new AI regulatory framework, which seeks to establish a balance between innovation and ethical oversight, will significantly impact the operations of not only these tech giants, but also various companies from the most diverse segments, as the number of companies adopting AI technology in their operations increases every day.

Recently, the National Assembly held its first public hearing on AI legislation, where experts proposed minimal legal standards for AI with ongoing adjustments. The absence of unified AI laws has caused regulatory confusion across government ministries. The ruling party prioritizes AI industry promotion, while the opposition emphasizes safety and ethical regulations. Civic groups warn against neglecting safety concerns like deepfake misuse. Participants recommended an AI act with essential provisions, leaving detailed regulations for later. Consolidating various AI bills into a unified law is essential for efficiency but indeed a hard task.

Earlier this year, the Korean Ministry of Science and ICT put out a press release in which they set ambitious plans aiming to "realize trustworthy AI for everyone," a goal that........

© The Korea Times