The National Institute of Technology and Standards (NITES) under the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy has established the first national standard (KS) for AI ethics in Korea. It is a response to the global proliferation of generative AI technology and the heightened discussions surrounding AI ethics, partly triggered by ChatGPT.Â
The briefing session on the establishment of ‘AI Ethics KS’ was held, bringing together key officials, including Director Jin Jong-wook from NITES, Chairman Shin Hee-dong of the Korea Electronics Technology Research Institute, Chairman Byun Sun-yong of the Ethics Standardization Forum, and Chairman Kim Soo-yeon of the Industry Council.
AI concerns and considerations were discussed during the forum, where key industry players, state-run organizations, and researchers gathered to gain insights and ideas about AI ethics.
Forum participants emphasized the importance of establishing clear ethical standards to ensure responsible and critical advancement of high-tech AI services. The need to address ethical issues associated with highly productive and efficient AI technologies has become more urgent, driven partly by the increased utilization of generative AI services like ChatGPT.
The event aimed to introduce the ‘AI Ethics Check Form’ and provide guidance to companies involved in AI products and services. The government’s initiative seeks to establish a national standard for AI ethics, setting minimum safeguards and promoting responsible and ethical AI practices.
The ‘AI Ethics Checklist KS’ further provides a comprehensive framework for reviewing ethical considerations throughout the development and deployment of AI products. Generative AI is widely recognized as a powerful tool with the potential for both positive and negative impacts.Â
While its versatility is undeniable, it also carries the risk of generating fake news or learning from unethical data, leading to biased responses or privacy breaches.
“As companies are struggling with how to prepare for AI ethics issues, the KS Ethics Standard established this time is significant in that it was created on a private initiative and can be easily and usefully utilized by companies autonomously,” said Jong-wook Jin, head of the National Institute of Standards and Technology. “We will actively promote international standardization of AI to strengthen the credibility of the domestic AI industry and help companies enter the global market.”
