South Korea Establishes AI Laws Amid Resistance

South Korea Introduces Artificial Intelligence Laws

South Korea launches a groundbreaking set of laws on artificial intelligence (AI), becoming the first country in the world to implement comprehensive regulations in this sector. These laws aim to label AI-generated content, ensure transparency in decision-making, and define safety criteria for AI models. However, the new legislation faces criticism from tech startups and civil society groups.

Criticism of the New Regulations

The proposed standards are contested both by tech startups, which argue that the regulations are excessive, and by civil society organizations, which believe that the measures are insufficient. The dilemma results in the perception that the laws do not fully address the concerns of all parties involved.

Specific Measures of the Laws

Among the requirements is the addition of invisible digital watermarks to clearly artificial content, such as cartoons and artworks. For realistic deepfakes, it is necessary to use visible labels, increasing transparency about what is authentic and what is manipulated.

Impact of High-Risk Systems

Systems classified as high impact, which include applications in areas such as medical diagnosis, hiring, and credit approvals, will require risk assessments and detailed documentation of decision-making criteria. However, if a human makes the final decision, the application of the law may not be required.

Challenges for Powerful AI Models

Extremely powerful AI models are subject to robust safety requirements. However, the South Korean government acknowledges that the established criteria are so high that no existing model currently meets these parameters.

Future Perspectives

The innovations proposed in South Korea's AI laws could set a precedent for global regulation, but the debate surrounding the effectiveness and feasibility of these laws highlights the need to find a balance between safety and technological innovation. The evolution of this legislation may shape the future of AI not only in South Korea but worldwide.