[DigitalToday reporter Jin-ho Lee] South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT is gathering views to build a national artificial intelligence (AI) safety ecosystem.

The ministry said on Feb. 5 it will hold a meeting on the afternoon of Feb. 6 at an international conference room at the Korea Federation of Banks building in Jung-gu, Seoul, to gather views on a "(tentative) master plan to build a national AI safety ecosystem."

The meeting aims to build consensus with the public on creating a safe AI environment and to hear views from industry. It will be held as an in-depth discussion with citizens and experts and will also be livestreamed on YouTube.

The meeting will feature presentations on three themes: AI safety that protects people's daily lives, AI safety that supports industrial development, and AI safety that leads the world. Government officials, industry-academia-research experts and civil society figures will join as discussants for an open discussion on the direction of building an AI safety ecosystem.

The ministry plans to reflect the views gathered at the meeting in the "National AI Safety Ecosystem Master Plan" and make a specific announcement in the first half of the year.

Jin-soo Lee (이진수), director general for AI Policy Planning at the ministry, said, "AI safety is a core value for realizing an AI-based basic society and AI for all." He added, "Through building an AI safety ecosystem, we will create an environment where the public can use AI with confidence and contribute to strengthening global AI competitiveness."