Ministry Of Science And ICT Support Desk Receives 172 Inquiries On AI Framework Act...Obligation To Secure Transparency Tops List

“Consultation and Guidance for Companies to Continue Through Year-End”

The Ministry of Science and ICT operated a support desk starting on the 22nd of last month, in line with the enforcement of the Framework Act on Artificial Intelligence (AI Framework Act), which covers AI development and the establishment of a trust-based environment, and received a total of 172 inquiries.

According to the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Artificial Intelligence and Software Industry Association (KOSA) on February 3, as a result of operating the support desk for small and medium-sized enterprises, startups, and general companies regarding the AI Framework Act, a total of 172 inquiries about the Act were received (78 by phone consultation and 94 through online inquiries).

For phone consultations, many inquiries were simple questions about the online submission procedure and the obligation to secure AI transparency. Online inquiries were mostly about Article 31 (Obligation to Secure AI Transparency) with 53 cases (56.4%), followed by Article 33 (Determination of High-Impact AI) with 16 cases (17%), and Article 2 (Definitions) with 10 cases (10.6%).

The obligation to secure AI transparency requires AI service providers to ensure that users can clearly recognize that they are using AI-based products or services, and that the results provided are generated by artificial intelligence.

With respect to the determination of high-impact AI, most inquiries concerned how to determine whether the AI that companies are providing to users as a service falls under the category of high-impact AI.

Originally, the policy for online submissions to the support desk was to respond within 72 hours from the date of receipt (or within 14 days for matters requiring in-depth review). However, in the initial phase of the law’s enforcement, and in order to resolve difficulties faced by companies, responses were provided within 24 hours for 10 days from the opening date of the desk.

Lee Jinsoo, Director-General for Artificial Intelligence Policy Planning at the Ministry of Science and ICT, said, “We are operating the support desk to reduce confusion for companies in the early stages of the AI Framework Act’s enforcement and to help the system take root smoothly in the field,” adding, “We will continue to provide consultation and guidance to companies through the end of the year.”

The Ministry of Science and ICT and KOSA plan to compile a Q&A casebook by March on key inquiries such as the standards and scope of application of the AI Framework Act, so that companies can easily understand it, and to release it through the Ministry of Science and ICT and support desk websites.