Science ministry hosts public forum on AI ethics

The science ministry held a public forum in Seoul on Aug. 14 to hear views from the public and stakeholders on draft national AI ethics principles.

The government began developing the principles in late 2025 under Article 27 of the AI Basic Act. The principles are a voluntary framework for human-centered AI.

"South Korea's AI Ethics Principles are standards that all of us should uphold for an AI basic society, and we are striving to reflect the voices of diverse members of society," Kim Gyeong-man of the science ministry said.

The Ministry of Science and ICT hosted the event with the Korea Information Society Development Institute at the President Hotel's Mozart Hall. Industry representatives, civic groups, academics and ordinary citizens took part, and the event was livestreamed.

The proposal sets out three values, seven principles and roles. Its stated elements include human dignity, privacy protection, humanity's sustainability, and fairness and inclusion. A keynote presentation, an explanation of the draft and a comprehensive discussion were held, with comments collected from in-person and online audience members.

The draft builds on AI Ethics Standards issued in 2020 and reflects developments including agentic AI and physical AI, as well as policy conditions revised after the AI Basic Act took effect. The ministry and KISDI released a first draft in May and received 116 written opinions from industry, civic groups, academia, relevant ministries and the public before preparing the revised draft for the forum.

After incorporating feedback from the forum, the government plans to establish the principles and support government, companies and citizens in putting them into practice.