UN Appoints Go Hak-su, Chair of the Personal Information Protection Commission, as Member of Its First AI Advisory Body

Ko Hak-su, Chairman of the Personal Information Protection Commission, is reporting on work during the National Assembly's hearing on the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission and the Personal Information Protection Commission held by the Political Affairs Committee on the 19th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Ko Hak-soo, Chairman of the Personal Information Protection Commission, has been selected for the newly established United Nations (UN) advisory body on artificial intelligence (AI). This body will draft a report containing recommendations on the establishment of an international organization related to AI governance.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Personal Information Protection Commission announced that UN Secretary-General Ant?nio Guterres selected Chairman Ko as an advisory member of the UN High-Level Advisory Body on AI, which was launched on the 26th (local time).

Following the UN Secretary-General's proposal in July, the establishment process of the UN High-Level Advisory Body on AI proceeded, selecting a total of 39 multi-stakeholders in the AI field, including ex officio UN technology envoys.

The selection of advisory body members was conducted through government and public recommendation procedures from various sectors such as government agencies, civil society, industry, and academia, focusing on individuals with leading expertise in AI governance or applied fields. Approximately 2,000 candidates worldwide competed, and the UN Secretary-General made the final decision considering professional fields, gender, age, regional, and continental balance.

This is the first time a UN-level advisory body related to AI has been established. The advisory body plans to produce two reports over the next year, containing recommendations on the direction of AI governance construction and the establishment of an international organization for this purpose.

Through Chairman Ko's participation in this advisory body, it is expected that South Korea's role and contribution in the field of international AI governance will expand. Additionally, it is anticipated that South Korea will contribute to the formation of international AI and digital norms emphasized by President Yoon Suk-yeol.

Chairman Ko stated, "Currently, regarding AI norms, there are very diverse views ranging from the perspective that a concrete normative system like the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) should be established to opinions that a very loose system is preferable. I will do my best to present solutions that consider our national interests and the future of humanity as a mediator between technology-leading countries and consumer countries."

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