A presidential decree aimed at enhancing the interagency AI strategy coordination function and strengthening the organization of the Presidential Committee on AI, which oversees the country's artificial intelligence (AI) policy, has been legislative announced.
On the 14th, the Ministry of Science and ICT announced the legislative proposal for partial amendments to the regulations on the establishment and operation of the Presidential Committee on AI.
The amendment stipulates that the Presidential Committee on AI deliberates and decides on matters related to national AI vision and medium- to long-term strategy, coordination between AI policy and the relevant ministries, and the establishment and utilization of data for AI development.
The committee will also deliberate and decide on the implementation and performance management of policies and projects related to artificial intelligence.
The relevant ministries that will have their disagreements coordinated by the committee on AI policy include the existing Ministry of Economy and Finance, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Science and ICT, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, along with the addition of the Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Employment and Labor, and Ministry of Environment.
The previously included Korea Communications Commission and Presidential Committee of Digital Platform Government have been excluded.
Additionally, the position of vice chairperson will be changed to a full-time role, increasing the number from a maximum of 1 to 3, and guaranteeing a 2-year term for appointed commissioners.
Moreover, the committee will be able to request that ministers or local government heads designate vice ministers and vice mayors of special cities and metropolitan cities as AI responsibility officers.
The Ministry of Science and ICT stated that the reason for the amendment is to strengthen the role of the Presidential Committee on AI, which is under the direct control of the president as the control tower for AI policy, and to establish a foundation for Korea's leap as one of the top three AI powers through a nationwide AI transformation.