Human Rights Commission Establishes AI Human Rights Guidelines... Recommends Government Compliance

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] The National Human Rights Commission of Korea has recommended that the government ensure public institutions and others comply with guidelines established to guarantee human dignity and fundamental rights during the development and use of artificial intelligence (AI).

On the 17th, the Human Rights Commission announced that it had prepared the "Human Rights Guidelines on the Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence" and recommended their implementation to the Prime Minister and relevant ministers. The Commission also advised the Prime Minister to organically coordinate and oversee related ministries to establish and implement AI-related policies based on the guidelines and to enact or amend relevant laws accordingly. Recommendations were also made to the Minister of Science and ICT, the Chairperson of the Personal Information Protection Commission, the Chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission, the Chairperson of the Fair Trade Commission, and the Chairperson of the Financial Services Commission to establish and implement AI-related policies based on the guidelines, revise relevant laws, and manage and supervise compliance by public institutions and private companies.

The Human Rights Commission explained, "Although the advancement of AI technology impacts society as a whole, those affected are not guaranteed opportunities to express opinions or participate in the introduction, operation, and decision-making processes of AI," adding, "We recognized the need to establish standards to be observed when developing and utilizing AI from a human rights perspective and reviewed related matters." The Commission further stated, "We hope that these guidelines will serve as an opportunity to protect human rights values throughout the entire process of AI technology development and utilization."

The guidelines prepared by the Human Rights Commission include ensuring human dignity, individual autonomy, and diversity; transparency and the obligation to explain; guaranteeing the right to self-determination; prohibition of discrimination; conducting AI human rights impact assessments; and establishing risk grading and related laws and systems. The fundamental principle is that AI must be developed and used in a way that aligns with the right to pursue human dignity and happiness and must not infringe upon individual autonomy.