"Can AI Be Held Responsible for Illegal Acts?" Ministry of Science and ICT Holds Public Seminar on 'Legal Status of AI'

[Asia Economy Reporter Eunmo Koo] The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on the 23rd that it will hold a public seminar on AI law and systems under the theme "How far is the legal status of Artificial Intelligence (AI)?" with experts in AI law, humanities and social sciences, technology, and related private sector personnel.

This seminar will discuss whether AI can be recognized as a legal person under the law and systems, such as whether it can become a "judge or politician," whether it has tax payment obligations, and as a solution to existing problems in the guardianship system, whether "AI can become a guardian."

Participants in the discussion on AI legal personhood include Professor Byungchul Oh of Yonsei University, Professor Jinwoo Kim of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Attorney Taewook Kang of Bae, Kim & Lee LLC, Director Daewon Kim of Kakao, and Professor Hoyoung Song of Hanyang University. The discussion on AI guardianship will include Professor Inhwan Park of Ajou University, Professor Taeyoung Yoon of Inha University, Director Waejin Park of Acryl, and Attorney Yeonji Lee of the Central Dementia Center. This seminar will be broadcast live on YouTube, allowing real-time public access and collecting opinions from participating citizens through Q&A sessions.

Furthermore, next month, the ministry plans to explore the direction for preparing draft guidelines to support the creation of a private autonomous AI management and supervision environment together with related legal, academic, and private sector personnel. These guidelines will include provisions to support the private sector in securing ethical responsibility autonomously without hindering creativity and development potential in the AI field, where new markets are emerging, during the processes of AI development, utilization, and application.

In addition, in November, a seminar will be held to discuss the fault-based liability principle of AI illegal acts regarding "whether damages can be claimed for AI actions," the characteristics of AI-related crimes, and sanction measures. In December, a seminar on technical standards will be held on "What constitutes high-risk AI."

Park Unkyu, Director of the Information and Communication Policy Office at the Ministry of Science and ICT, stated, "Before direct government regulation, it is important to carefully review the characteristics of algorithms and data, the gap between new technologies and current legal systems, and the market development situation, and to gather opinions from experts and the public to establish a solid foundation." He added, "Based on this seminar, we will organize AI laws and systems that everyone can agree on."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.