South Korea's National AI Strategy Committee said on Sunday it held a meeting with the presidential office's senior secretary for AI future planning to hear civil society views on overall AI policy.

The meeting was arranged to discuss how the spread of AI technology affects citizens' rights, safety and democracy, focusing on the AI Framework Act and an AI action plan.

Participants included officials from major civic groups such as People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, the Digital Justice Network and Lawyers for a Democratic Society, as well as members of the committee's social affairs subcommittee and government officials.

Participants stressed that discussions on technological progress and social impact should be balanced in the process of introducing AI technology. They said it is necessary to raise public understanding of standards for AI use and to maintain ongoing communication with civil society while reviewing the social impact of AI adoption.

They also formed a consensus that AI ethics principles should be prepared promptly to create an AI-use environment the public can trust.

On the "AI basic society" policy, participants raised concerns that differences in AI capabilities and access could lead to a new social divide. They agreed that AI policy should not be skewed toward a specific group and should be pursued so that all citizens can feel the benefits.

Ha Jung-woo (하정우), senior secretary for AI future planning, said, "AI policy is not simply a matter of technology, but a policy process of coordinating the views of diverse stakeholders and forming a social consensus," adding, "I hope that civil society's diverse experience and awareness of issues will be meaningfully reflected in policy."

Im Moon-young (임문영), vice chairman of the National AI Strategy Committee, said, "The core goal of AI policy is to guarantee citizens' basic rights through AI and ensure that the benefits of technological development spread across society," adding, "Together with relevant ministries, we will more actively push forward the AI Framework Act, an AI action plan and the AI basic society policy based on social deliberation."

The committee said it plans to reflect opinions raised at the meeting in overall AI policy discussions and work to ensure the policies can be implemented with social consensus.