South Korea just took a major step to lead the future of technology. On Thursday, the government introduced the “AI Basic Act,” which it calls the world’s first complete set of laws for artificial intelligence. While the European Union plans to roll out its rules slowly through 2027, South Korea is moving much faster to get its framework up and running.
The government wants South Korea to become one of the world’s top three AI powers. They believe that clear rules will help people trust the technology. The new laws focus heavily on “high-impact” AI. These are systems that control critical infrastructure such as nuclear plants, clean water, hospitals, and bank loans. In these areas, the law requires companies to have real humans overseeing the AI to ensure nothing goes wrong.
The rules also help regular people. If a company uses AI to talk to you or provide a service, they have to tell you first. Also, if a piece of content—like a video or an image—looks real but was actually made by AI, the company must label it clearly so you aren’t tricked.
Some people feel nervous about the change. Leaders of small tech startups fear that these new requirements will be too expensive and might slow down their ability to invent new things. The government is trying to balance this by giving companies a one-year grace period. This gives them time to learn the rules before the government starts issuing fines.
Breaking the rules can be costly. For example, failing to label AI content could lead to a fine of 30 million won, which is about $20,400. Even so, South Korea’s penalties are much lower than the ones planned in Europe. In the EU, fines can reach a staggering 7% of a company’s total global sales.
The Ministry of Science says these laws are intended to build a foundation of trust. By being the first to set clear boundaries, South Korea hopes to prove it can be both safe and innovative.
