Prof. Yoon introduced the newly adopted AI Basic Law, which is the world’s second comprehensive AI legislation (after the EU’s AI Act). The AI Basic Law emphasises South Korea’s aim to enable innovation while maintaining public trust. According to Prof. Yoon, one of the law’s unique features is a post-regulatory approach. It focuses on fostering innovation first and introducing regulation later, once technologies and their societal impacts are better understood. The law aims to strike a balance between promoting AI development while ensuring safety, thus bridging the gap between the innovation-first approach favoured by the US as well as Japan and the safety-first approach favoured by the EU. The AI Basic Law also aims to respect industry autonomy while defining clear regulatory duties, thus focusing on less state control than China.

Another distinctive feature of South Korea’s AI governance is the combination of a top-down legal framework with bottom-up participation. An especially interesting tool when it comes to risk detection is a participatory risk reporting system that will allow citizens to report concerns with regard to AI and thus engage directly in shaping AI policy. Melissa Yoon gave a ’sneak preview’ into how this future generative AI user participation platform should work. 

The event offered a fascinating glimpse into ’what’s cooking’ in South Korea’s AI regulatory kitchen and a nuanced comparison with the European, US, Japanese and Chinese regulatory models – complemented by traditional Austrian sandwiches and an inspiring exchange of ideas.

Our sincere thanks go to Melissa Yoon for her valuable insights, to the City of Vienna (MA 7 – Cultural Affairs Department) for their cooperation, and to all participants who contributed to the lively discussion.