'AI Seoul Summit' Opening Address
"Global-Level Digital Norms Must Be Established"
President Yoon Suk-yeol is delivering the opening remarks at the 'AI Seoul Summit' held via video conference at the Blue House's State Guest House on the 21st. [Image source=Yonhap News]
President Yoon Suk-yeol stated on the 21st, "South Korea will also promote the establishment of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Safety Research Institute to join the network for strengthening global AI safety."
In his opening remarks at the 'AI Seoul Summit,' held via video conference at the Blue House State Guest House that afternoon, President Yoon said, "We must minimize the adverse effects AI may have and ensure AI safety so that the well-being of our society and democracy are not compromised."
The AI Seoul Summit is a follow-up meeting to the AI Safety Summit held last November at Bletchley Park in the United Kingdom and is held over two days starting the evening of the 21st.
President Yoon emphasized, "Since the emergence of generative AI, AI technology has been developing at an unprecedented pace, and it is expected to have a tremendous impact on human society. As AI's influence grows, concerns about AI side effects such as fake news through deepfakes and the digital divide are also increasing."
He continued, "In response to the rapid digital environmental changes caused by AI, I have emphasized the need to establish new digital norms through my keynote speech at the UN General Assembly last year and speeches at the Digital Vision Forums at New York University and Sorbonne University. To this end, the South Korean government established the 'Digital Bill of Rights' last September, encompassing five principles: freedom, fairness, safety, innovation, and solidarity."
President Yoon particularly stressed the necessity of global digital norms. He mentioned, "Since digital technology transcends borders and is hyper-connected, global digital norms must be established." He introduced, "The 'UN AI Resolution,' the first resolution on AI adopted at the UN General Assembly, and the 'Hiroshima AI Process,' which provides guidelines for safe AI development at the Group of Seven (G7) level, are part of such efforts."
He added, "Today’s AI Seoul Summit will serve as an opportunity to consolidate past efforts and advance global AI norms and governance," and in terms of AI safety, "we welcome the efforts of major countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States, to establish AI safety research institutes."
He also emphasized, "To realize the great potential of AI, we must pursue AI innovation through free and open research and development. AI innovation will provide new growth engines for the global economy and greatly assist in solving global challenges such as environmental pollution."
President Yoon stated, "It is also important to ensure AI inclusiveness so that everyone, regardless of their place of residence or income level, can benefit from AI," adding, "Through this, sustainable AI development should be achieved so that the benefits of innovation continue for future generations."
Furthermore, he said, "As a responsible member of the international community, South Korea will harmoniously promote AI safety, innovation, and inclusion," and added, "I hope the AI Seoul Summit will become a stepping stone for global solidarity."
The event invited the same G7 country leaders as the previous UK meeting, along with leaders from Singapore and Australia. International organizations such as the UN, European Union (EU), and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), as well as leading AI industry companies including Samsung, Naver, Google, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, and OpenAI, also participated.
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