The Ministry of Science and ICT said on the 14th that a revision to the enforcement decree of the Framework Act on the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Creation of a Trust-Based Foundation (hereafter the AI Framework Act), which gives concrete shape to the law, passed the Cabinet meeting.
The key point is that when public institutions purchase goods or services needed for work, they must first consider products and services that apply AI. To support this, the government introduced a verification system for AI products and services. It is a system in which the government technically verifies whether AI is actually used in the product or service. When corporations apply for verification to the Korea Artificial Intelligence and Software Industry Association (KOSA), the Telecommunications Technology Association (TTA) conducts a technical review of AI utilization, and based on the results, KOSA issues a certificate. Corporations that receive the certificate will receive preference in the procurement market starting next month.
The scope of AI-vulnerable groups also expanded. In addition to existing digitally vulnerable groups such as people with disabilities, seniors 65 and older, basic livelihood security recipients, and the near poor, the category now includes career-holding women (those who stopped economic activity due to pregnancy, childbirth, or childrearing, or those who have never engaged in economic activity but wish to find employment) and job seekers who face difficulties accessing high-performance AI services.
The recipients eligible for support with AI service usage expense include not only vulnerable groups but also non-capital region university talent and science and engineering personnel. The aim is to enable broad support within the budget.
In addition, the government prepared grounds for supporting AI startups using the venture investment parent fund and for establishing and operating AI research institutes.
Bae Kyung-hoon, vice minister, said, "Through the AI Framework Act, the adoption and use of AI in the public sector will accelerate, and the public's access to AI will also improve," adding, "The public sector will serve as a primer to swiftly adopt innovative AI technologies from the private sector and provide better public services to the public."