"Promotion Over Regulation"... Government Engages Startups as AI Basic Act Takes Effect

Ministry of Science and ICT and Ministry of SMEs and Startups Hold "AI Startup Growth Strategy Briefing"

The Ministry of Science and ICT, together with the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, held the "AI Startup Growth Strategy Briefing" for AI startups at Tipstown S1 in Seoul on the 28th. The event was organized to explain the main contents of the Artificial Intelligence Basic Act, which has been fully implemented since the 22nd, as well as startup response strategies and government support programs.

This briefing was arranged in response to concerns voiced by startups about the burdens of the Artificial Intelligence Basic Act. It was co-hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, and the Korea Startup Forum, with more than 200 AI startup executives and employees attending in person.

The event began with an explanation of the main points of the Artificial Intelligence Basic Act by the Ministry of Science and ICT, followed by an introduction to the "SME AI Utilization and Diffusion Act" by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, and a presentation on response strategies to the Artificial Intelligence Basic Act by Jo Junghui, Managing Partner at Law Firm Decode. The Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development then introduced the "AI Challenge Program," which supports technology verification and market access for AI startups through collaboration with large enterprises and public institutions.

The Korea Technology and Information Promotion Agency for SMEs presented the "Deep Tech Challenge Project (DCP)," a large-scale project-type R&D support program targeting key areas such as AI. The Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development also shared its plan to operate a "Startup One-Stop Support Center," which provides legal, accounting, and management consulting in one place, and offered individual consultations.

Lee Jinsu, Director General for Artificial Intelligence Policy Planning at the Ministry of Science and ICT, emphasized, "The Artificial Intelligence Basic Act is a law focused on promoting the industry, not on regulation," adding, "We will ensure that it does not hinder innovation by startups." He continued, "To give companies ample time to prepare, we will provide a regulatory grace period of at least one year and strengthen communication through on-site briefings."

Cho Kyungwon, Director General for Startup Policy at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, stated, "The Artificial Intelligence Basic Act contains only the minimum necessary regulations, but AI startups that are subject to immediate application in the field may feel burdened." He added, "We will continue to reflect feedback from the field in collaboration with relevant ministries to improve the system, and we will also expand support programs for startups."