South Korea launches landmark laws to regulate AI, startups warn of compliance burdens

South Korea introduced on Thursday what it says is the world’s first ‍comprehensive set of laws regulating artificial intelligence, ​aiming to strengthen trust and safety in the sector, but startups fretted ⁠that compliance could hold them back.

Seoul is hoping that the new AI Basic Act will position the country as a leader in the field. It has taken effect in South Korea sooner than a comparable effort in Europe, where ‌the EU AI ‌Act is being applied in phases through 2027.