AI Safety Institute launched as AI research center in Korea

Newswise — The Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), led by Minister Yoo Sang-im, held the launching ceremony of the “AI Security Institute” (AISI) on Wednesday, November 27 at the Global Center of Pangyo R&D.

At the “Seoul AI Summit” last May, leaders from 10 countries recognized security as a key element of responsible AI innovation and highlighted the importance of establishing AI security institutes. AI and foster global collaboration for safe AI. President Yoon Suk Yeol also expressed his commitment, saying: “We will work to establish an AI security institute in Korea and actively participate in a global network to improve AI security. » After careful preparations regarding the organization, budget, personnel and functions of the institute, the AI ​​Safety Institute has now been officially launched.

AISI is a dedicated organization established within ETRI to systematically and professionally address various risks related to AI, including technological limitations, human misuse and potential loss of control over AI. As Korea’s hub for AI security research, AISI will facilitate collaborative research and information sharing among industry, academia and research institutes in the field of AI security. ‘AI. Furthermore, as a member of the “International Network of AI Security Institutes” (comprising 10 countries, launched on November 21), AISI is committed to playing a responsible role in strengthening global collaboration for safe AI. Through these efforts, AISI aims to develop competitive technologies, train qualified professionals in the AI ​​security sector, and advance AI security policies, including their development and refinement , based on scientific research data.

The launch ceremony was attended by key government officials, including Yoo Sang-im, Minister of Science and ICT; Yeom Jae-ho, vice chairman of the National Committee on AI; and Lee Kyung-woo, Presidential Secretary for AI and Digital Affairs. More than 40 prominent figures from the AI ​​industry, academia and research sectors were also present, such as Bae Kyung-hoon, head of LG AI Research; Oh Hye-yeon, director of the KAIST AI Institute; Lee Eun-ju, director of the Center for Trustworthy AI at Seoul National University; and Bang Seung-chan, president of the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI).

At the event, Professor Yoshua Bengio, a world-renowned AI expert and global advisor to the National Committee on AI, congratulated the Korean government for establishing the AI ​​Security Institute, in line with to the Seoul Declaration. He highlighted the Institute’s critical roles including (1) researching and advancing risk assessment methodologies through industry collaboration, (2) supporting the development of security requirements in AI and (3) promoting international cooperation to harmonize global AI security standards. In addition, the directors of the AI ​​Security Institutes of the United States, the United Kingdom and Japan delivered congratulatory speeches, saying: “We have high expectations for the Korean AI Security Institute. AI Security” and emphasizing “the importance of global collaboration on AI security”.

Kim Myung-joo, the first director of AISI, presented the vision and operational plans of the Institute during the ceremony. In his presentation, he said: “AISI will focus on assessing potential risks that may arise from the use of AI, developing and disseminating policies and technologies to prevent and minimize these risks, and on strengthening collaboration both nationally and internationally. » Director Kim emphasized, “AISI is not a regulatory body but a collaborative organization dedicated to supporting Korean AI companies by reducing risk factors that hinder their global competitiveness. »

At the signing ceremony of the Korea AI Safety Consortium (hereinafter referred to as the Consortium), 24 major Korean organizations from industry, academia and research signed a memorandum of understanding ( MOU) to promote mutual cooperation on AI security policy. research, evaluation and R&D. AISI and the Consortium member organizations will jointly focus on key initiatives including the research, development and validation of an AI security framework (risk identification, assessment and mitigation), policy research for align with international AI security standards and technology collaboration on AI Security. In the future, they plan to refine the Consortium’s detailed research topics and operational strategies. Member organizations also presented their expertise in AI security research and presented their plans for the Consortium’s activities, affirming their strong commitment to active collaboration with AISI.

< Organisations participantes au « AI Safety Consortium » >

Minister Yoo Sang-im of MSIT emphasized: “AI security is a prerequisite for the sustainable development of AI and one of the biggest challenges that all of us in the field of AI face. rise together. » He noted: “In just one year since the AI ​​Security Summit in November 2023 and the Seoul AI Summit in May 2024, major countries such as the US, UK , Japan, Singapore and Canada have created AI systems. security institutes, creating an unprecedented rapid and systematic framework for international cooperation on AI security. Minister Yoo further emphasized, “By bringing together the research capabilities of industry, academia and research institutions through AISI, we will quickly obtain the technological and policy expertise needed to play a role leader in the global alliance for AI security. We will actively support the growth of AISI into a research hub representing the Asia-Pacific region in AI security.

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About Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI)

ETRI is a government-funded, non-profit research institute. Since its establishment in 1976, ETRI, a global ICT research institute, has made immense efforts to ensure Korea’s remarkable growth in the field of ICT industry. ETRI makes Korea one of the world’s leading ICT countries, continually developing the world’s first and best technologies.