Use of hwp files, a closed document format, will be restricted to boost artificial intelligence (AI) use in the public sector.
The Presidential Committee on AI said on the 24th it will restrict attachments of hwp files, which are inefficient for AI use, in public systems.
Recently, OpenAI's ChatGPT has added support for reading hwp files, improving usability in some respects, but unlike the open format hwpx, hwp files have a closed structure that makes it difficult for AI to analyze and learn internal information.
Accordingly, On-nara System, the core drafting and circulation channel for documents among public officials, will fully expand the transition to open files to include local governments starting on the 18th of next month. On-mail, a communication tool for public officials, will also push to switch to open formats by Oct.
The Public Officials Integrated Mail, a citizen-facing communication channel for public officials, will implement the attachment restrictions in earnest starting in Oct. after a five-month grace period.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS) plans to work with HANCOM to encourage existing hwp files to be converted and saved as hwpx when they are rewritten or saved with modifications.
Vice Chair Lim Moon-young of the committee said, "Starting with this measure, we will firmly carry out 'small but significant, fast-paced changes' for 'public sector data innovation in the AI era' through cooperation with related ministries."