An AI ethical framework requiring global cooperation The advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, once seemingly confined to science fiction films, is now permeating our daily lives. However, rapid technological progress does not always yield only positive outcomes. Experts have recently warned about the potential risks of AI, simultaneously emphasizing the need for trustworthy AI governance models. The 2026 AI Index Report by Stanford University's Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (Stanford HAI) initiated this discussion, meticulously analyzing the social, economic, and ethical impacts of AI technology. According to the report, AI technology possesses a powerful capacity to not just offer technological convenience but to fundamentally reshape the very foundations of human society. AI holds diverse positive potential, including improving the accuracy of medical diagnoses, increasing manufacturing productivity, and providing personalized educational services. The Stanford report specifically highlighted that AI technology has achieved specialist-level accuracy in medical imaging analysis, which is expected to significantly contribute to enhancing access to healthcare services. At the same time, the report also issued detailed warnings about negative impacts such as changes in job structures, privacy infringements, algorithmic bias, and the potential misuse of deepfake technology. Indeed, the proliferation of AI technology heralds fundamental shifts in the labor market. According to a recent analysis by the McKinsey Global Institute, an estimated 400 million to 800 million jobs worldwide are projected to be affected by automation by 2030, with a significant portion potentially being fully replaced. Occupations involving repetitive and predictable tasks are expected to be most impacted. Amidst these changes, governance that defines the ethical and responsible use of AI technology has become an urgent imperative. Global discussions are exploring various approaches to AI governance frameworks. A prime example is the European Union (EU), which in May 2024, finally approved the AI Act, the world's first comprehensive legal framework for AI regulation, setting a significant milestone in strengthening the transparency and accountability of AI technology. The EU AI Act adopts a risk-based approach, categorizing AI systems into four levels: unacceptable risk, high risk, limited risk, and minimal risk, applying differentiated regulations to each. Specifically, for high-risk AI systems, it imposes stringent requirements such as establishing risk management systems, strengthening data governance, mandating technical documentation, ensuring transparency, and guaranteeing human oversight. In contrast, the United States favors a relatively relaxed self-regulatory approach, encouraging private companies to voluntarily adhere to AI ethical standards. While the Biden administration issued an executive order on AI safety and security in October 2023, requiring AI developers to share safety test results with the government, it has not pursued comprehensive legislation akin to the EU's. These differing approaches reflect fundamental philosophical differences on how to balance fostering innovation with managing risks. Professor Vittoria Espinel-Argote of the Oxford Internet Institute, writing for Project Syndicate, points out that "due to the transnational nature of AI, it is difficult to establish an effective governance framework without international cooperation." Professor Espinel-Argote particularly emphasized the global supply chain characteristics of AI systems, explaining that in a reality where AI models developed in one country are trained with data from another and deployed in a third, regulation by a single nation has limitations. Therefore, establishing common norms by governments and the private sector worldwide will be key to ensuring accountability and trust in technological advancement. Impact on Korean Society and Response Strategies Korea, too, cannot be excluded from these international discussions. In particular, Korea is recognized as a nation with high potential in AI technology development. According to the Ministry of Science and ICT's 2025 AI industry survey, the domestic AI industry market size is projected to grow from approximately 15 trillion won in 2024 to 30 trillion won by 2027. Analysis by the World Economic Forum (WEF) also assessed Korea as being among the top countries globally in terms of readiness for AI technology adoption. However, alongside these optimistic forecasts, ethical debates surrounding AI technology are increasingly intensifying. Korea's approach to AI governance is still in its formative stages. In December 2020, the government announced 'AI Ethics Standards for a Human-Centered Future,' and in 2022, it established the 'Strategy for Realizing Trustworthy AI.' Furthermore, in 2023, efforts were made to lay the legal groundwork for AI development
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