Assemblywoman Yang Hyang-ja Proposes the "Act on Fostering the Artificial Intelligence Industry"

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Yang Hyang-ja, a member of the National Assembly (Democratic Party of Korea·Gwangju Seo-gu Eul), announced on the 3rd that she has taken the lead in proposing the "Act on the Promotion of the Artificial Intelligence Industry" (hereinafter referred to as the AI Act).

The proposed AI Act includes ▲ establishment and promotion of the artificial intelligence industry foundation ▲ obligation to protect human rights ▲ establishment of the Artificial Intelligence Industry Promotion Committee under the Prime Minister ▲ government incentives such as technology and equipment support and tax reductions for related companies ▲ designation and support plans for AI-specialized complexes.

Rep. Yang said, "According to a report by the global market research firm Tractica, the revenue generated by the artificial intelligence industry is expected to increase from 6 trillion won in 2017 to 119.7 trillion won in 2025," adding, "This is why major advanced countries are consolidating national policy capabilities to take the lead in the industry."

She continued, "However, in a 2018 survey on the adoption and operation status of 4th Industrial Revolution technologies targeting 200 domestic companies, only 16% of businesspeople were preparing to adopt AI technology, and only 12.5% responded that they were actually utilizing it in their work," she emphasized.

She then explained the purpose of the bill, saying, "Although South Korea is the world's strongest IT powerhouse, its national competitiveness in the AI field is still insufficient. Taking the Digital New Deal as an opportunity, we must drastically transform the AI technology and industrial paradigm, which are currently being pursued sporadically by each ministry."

Gwangju Metropolitan City is currently the most active investor in the domestic artificial intelligence industry. Last year, the AI-centered industrial convergence complex was selected as a preliminary feasibility exemption project for balanced regional development, giving momentum to the AI industry. From this year until 2024, an AI complex worth about 400 billion won will be established, and it is known that construction of an "AI Data Center" with world top 10 performance will begin soon.

Rep. Yang said, "With the passage of the Data 3 Act in January this year, pseudonymized information processed for statistics, public interest records, and scientific research can be used without prior consent," adding, "Once the AI Data Center is constructed in Gwangju, data collection will become smoother, and explosive growth in the AI industry is expected."