[ Future Wave] The Era of AI-Driven AI Innovation: The Dilemma of Technology Regulation

Laws and Regulations Lag Behind Change
Regulatory Responses Follow Technological Side Effects
Excessive Regulation Hinders Industrial Development
Social Values and Creativity Must Be Reflected

“Humans create tools, but those tools in turn change humans (We Shape Our Tools, and Thereafter Our Tools Shape Us).” This is a quote from Canadian media scholar Marshall McLuhan. Technological innovation has acted as a core driver of societal and civilizational change throughout human history. The steam engine led the Industrial Revolution, and computers and the internet have driven the Information Revolution.

In recent years, technological innovation has been progressing at a much faster pace than before. Especially in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), new technologies emerge almost overnight, making the speed of innovation beyond imagination. The acceleration of technological innovation is due to entering an era of 'technological replication,' where technology itself advances technology. AI improves AI, and such automated processes create new innovations even faster. With the advent of the hyper-connected era, knowledge is shared rapidly, shortening the time it takes for innovations originating in one place to spread worldwide.

Rapid technological innovation is causing fundamental and swift changes in our lives and business practices. While technological innovation opens new possibilities, it also brings unexpected risks and problems. The faster the pace of innovation, the wider the gap may grow between individuals and companies that cannot adapt. Additionally, there is the possibility that technology may escape human control or be used unethically. Above all, as the speed of innovation increases, uncertainty about the future also intensifies.

The problem is that laws and regulations are failing to keep up with these changes, deepening the phenomenon known as 'regulation lag.' This is due to the limitation of a 'reactive' approach, where regulatory discussions begin only after technology impacts markets and society. As a result, regulations always seem to follow behind, often responding only after the side effects of technology have already occurred. Even now, issues such as data breaches, algorithmic bias, privacy invasions caused by drones, and accidents involving electric vehicles and autonomous driving frequently arise. These problems are difficult to resolve without regulation.

On the other hand, excessive or unreasonable regulation can hinder technological innovation and industrial development. Especially for startups and small and medium-sized enterprises, meeting complex regulatory compliance requirements is often difficult, leading them to abandon technology development or lose competitiveness in the market. This creates an environment where technological advancement favors only large corporations and may limit the diversity of innovation. No matter how good government promotion policies are, if regulations hold back progress, it is like applying the handbrake while pressing the accelerator.

Technology regulation is a very difficult and complex task that must find a balance between not hindering technological innovation and industrial development while ensuring social safety and public interest. Perhaps technology regulation is closer to an artistic act of continuously seeking harmony in a changing world. Therefore, technology regulation should not be approached as a simple institutional device or normative framework but handled flexibly and delicately according to situations and eras, like art rather than a fixed mold. In other words, technology regulation should be understood as a task of designing a sustainable future that reflects social values and creative imagination. This approach can suggest a positive direction for technological advancement and create harmony where humans, technology, and society move forward together.

Ultimately, technology regulation should not obstruct technological innovation but play a role in building social trust and guiding sustainable development. When regulation goes beyond merely restricting technology and promotes responsible innovation, it will have a positive impact on all of us.

Seoyong Seok, Professor, Graduate School of Future Strategy, KAIST MunSul