Ministry of Science and ICT Discusses AI Safety at MWC: "Global Response Needed"

MWC 2024 Ministerial Session Introduces Korea's Policy Direction
Ryu Jemyung Director and US Deputy National Security Advisor Hold Dialogue
"Korea Increases AI Opportunities and Reduces Side Effects Through Public-Private Communication"

The government introduced South Korea's policy direction and the digital norm 'Digital Bill of Rights' to the world while discussing artificial intelligence (AI) ethics and safety. It also raised the need for an international organization to ensure safe AI use and to bridge the AI gap between countries.

On the 26th, Ryu Jae-myung, Director of the Network Policy Office at the Ministry of Science and ICT, attended the ministerial session on responsible artificial intelligence held at 'MWC 2024' in Barcelona, Spain, where he discussed measures to ensure AI safety and digital norms. Photo by Ministry of Science and ICT

On the 27th, the Ministry of Science and ICT announced that it participated in a ministerial session titled "Responsible AI" held at the world's largest mobile communications exhibition, 'MWC 2024,' held the previous day in Barcelona, Spain. During the session, the Ministry introduced the South Korean government's policy direction for the safe use of AI and the supporting digital norm, the 'Digital Bill of Rights.'

The session was attended by Ryu Jae-myung, Director of the Network Policy Office, and Anne Neuberger, Deputy National Security Advisor at the White House, who engaged in a dialogue on AI ethics and safety. The session was moderated by Carme Artigas, former Minister of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence of the Spanish government and co-chair of the UN High-Level Advisory Body on AI.

Director Ryu explained the South Korean government's approach to building AI governance. He said, "The Ministry of Science and ICT regularly operates a high-level strategic dialogue on AI and AI semiconductors involving both the public and private sectors to establish the national AI investment direction. It also runs the AI Ethics Policy Forum to promote discussions on AI ethics issues and derive policy tasks." He added that a legislative reform team was operated to support the recent enactment of the 'AI Act' by the National Assembly. Director Ryu emphasized, "It is necessary to maximize opportunities and benefits from AI while minimizing risks and side effects based on communication and cooperation between the public and private sectors."

He also shared information related to the 'Digital Bill of Rights,' announced at the Cabinet meeting in September last year. The Digital Bill of Rights is a charter concerning the values and principles of a digitally prosperous society based on five fundamental principles: freedom, fairness, safety, innovation, and solidarity. Director Ryu stated, "President Yoon Suk-yeol of South Korea has emphasized the need for a new order to ensure that everyone equally enjoys the benefits of digital technology," adding, "We conducted global-level discussions and compiled them to announce the Digital Bill of Rights." He continued, "Based on this, the South Korean government plans to form discourse and strengthen global solidarity and cooperation on issues such as copyright in AI development and utilization, AI accountability, and the right not to be connected."

Director Ryu stressed that AI regulation should be "agile but not hasty." He said, "The South Korean government included only the minimally necessary regulations in the recently drafted AI Act and adopted an approach closer to private self-regulation rather than detailed regulations." At the same time, he announced plans to establish an 'AI Safety Research Institute' dedicated to overcoming limitations such as bias and misinformation in generative AI and to strengthen cooperation with major countries' research institutions.

The Ministry of Science and ICT emphasized the "need for an international organization to manage AI." It argued that global-level responses are necessary to address the AI gap between countries and the risks posed by AI. Director Ryu said, "The South Korean president proposed the establishment of a UN-affiliated international organization to discuss AI digital norms through the 'Paris Initiative' last June," adding, "We hope that global AI governance will be created so that citizens worldwide can safely enjoy the benefits of AI technology." He concluded the roundtable by expressing hope to continue related discussions at the 'AI Safety Summit' to be held in South Korea this May.

Meanwhile, before attending the ministerial session, Director Ryu visited the joint pavilion for domestic small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as the first schedule of 'MWC 2024.' He experienced digital innovation products and services from domestic companies prepared by the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) and the Gumi Electronics and Information Technology Institute (GERI) and encouraged SMEs challenging the global market.

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