Science ministry sets AI ethics guide for national R&D

The science ministry finalized ethical guidelines governing the use of artificial intelligence in national research and development projects. The framework states that while AI serves as a tool to enhance efficiency, ultimate responsibility and rights regarding research outcomes remain with the human researcher.

The Ministry of Science and ICT announced the "National R&D AI Research Ethics Guide" following approval by the National Science and Technology Advisory Council's operating committee. Officials noted that rapid AI expansion has introduced risks including inaccurate information, data biases, and security or privacy breaches.

The guide outlines seven core recommendations: verifying factual accuracy, exercising independent judgment, ensuring transparency, managing result reliability, complying with regulations, securing data, and protecting personal information. These measures aim to support researchers in using AI responsibly at every stage of national R&D.

Under the new rules, researchers must validate AI-generated content for errors, missing core data, and source authenticity. When using AI, they must transparently disclose the specific models, versions, and scope of application.

"AI is a useful tool that can innovatively increase research efficiency, but the final responsibility for it always lies with the researcher," said Hong Soon-jung, director of the Performance Evaluation and Policy Bureau at the ministry.

To support adherence, the ministry will provide a self-diagnosis checklist and an official form for disclosing AI employment in projects.