"Are Algorithms Fair?" AI Legal System Public Seminar Held

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Jo] The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on the 28th that it held the 2nd public seminar on AI laws and regulations under the theme of 'Fair Algorithms and Autonomous Management Measures' at the Federation of Korean Industries Building in Yeouido, Seoul.

The AI Legal System Improvement Group, organized by the Ministry of Science and ICT, is an expert consultative body researching major issues related to AI laws, systems, and regulations, and collects opinions through monthly public seminars. In this seminar, cases of algorithm application such as content recommendation on social network services (SNS), news editing on portal sites, and dispatch programs used in the delivery and taxi industries were reviewed.

First, discussions were held on whether recruitment using algorithms, which is based on vast amounts of data, is fairer or if distorted biases are reflected, undermining fairness. Additionally, regarding news algorithms, it was examined whether the absence of human intervention is advantageous for securing neutrality or if it leads to bias through the editing of sensational news.

Furthermore, conflicting opinions were exchanged on whether dispatch programs should disclose their algorithms to resolve the irrational pressure on delivery workers or if they cannot be disclosed as trade secrets.

Moreover, discussions were conducted to explore autonomous algorithm management and supervision measures, such as organizational composition and role assignment, data construction-utilization-management, and algorithm recording and explanation, so that the private sector can independently implement fair and transparent algorithms.

Going forward, the Ministry of Science and ICT and the AI Legal System Improvement Group plan to prepare guidelines to support the private sector in independently securing the fairness and transparency of algorithms and building a foundation of trust in AI.

Park Yoon-gyu, Director of the Information and Communications Policy Office at the Ministry of Science and ICT, stated, “Special vigilance is required to prevent biases and discrimination inherent in our society from being learned and reproduced or amplified by artificial intelligence through data and algorithms,” and added, “In the face of technological and market uncertainties, we will prepare mature laws and systems through sufficient social discussions to ensure that direct government regulation does not hinder the private sector’s creative ideas and industrial development.”