AI technology is exerting influence across all industries and driving change. In response, an AI policy forum was held to urge a swift national and bipartisan response, bringing together experts from various fields for a heated discussion.

The Korea AI Forum was held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Yeouido, Seoul on the 26th. AI experts from industry, academia, and research institutes gathered to discuss the event, which was held to find common ground on regulatory improvements and the creation of an AI ecosystem to foster the AI industry and promote technology.

In his opening remarks, Kim Seok-ho, Director of the Korean Social Science Archives at Seoul National University and a co-steering committee member of the forum, stated, “The purpose of this forum is to ensure the smooth implementation of the Framework Act on AI.” He added, “We are planning to hold a special AI exhibition, formulate a national strategic policy proposal containing short-, medium-, and long-term roadmaps synthesizing research results, and publish a comprehensive white paper.”

At the forum, three research presentations were presented: a science and technology part researching strategies for developing core AI technologies, an industrial promotion part establishing corporate support policies, and a legal and institutional part organizing related governance and systems.

Professor Jeong Gu-min of the Department of Electronic Engineering at Kookmin University gave a presentation on "Changes in the Industrial Ecosystem and Implications Following the Evolution of AI Technology." He predicted the impact of the emergence and development of AI technology on industry, as well as issues regarding employment.

Professor Jeong predicted that 'compression time' would become a major issue due to generative AI. This refers to situations where devices can easily operate numerous functions based on generative AI services derived from voice recognition, without any physical manipulation of the device.
In addition, it was explained that the expansion of generative AI by big tech companies within the industry's value chain leads to increased investment in AI infrastructure, which in turn leads to expanded investment in data centers and increased revenue for AI semiconductor companies such as Nvidia. Furthermore, amidst the expanding AI ecosystem, the importance of the energy industry is gradually increasing due to power supply shortages.

Professor Jeong expressed concern regarding the areas of AI and jobs, stating, “Even the professional sector is affected by the threat of artificial intelligence,” and noting that “the unemployment rate at U.S. tech companies last March was 2% higher than that of general companies.” This suggests that work processes enhanced by AI learning could lead to a reduction in the fixed workforce employment rate at big tech companies.

Professor Han Soon-goo of the Department of Economics at Yonsei University suggested, through policy recommendations, the expansion of AI data centers and the inducement of domestic investment, the nurturing of AI talent and startups through increased accessibility to AI infrastructure and the development of AI hub cities, and the establishment of an AI regulatory framework to promote AI innovation and the widespread use of AI.