South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT shared its policy direction for the spread of artificial intelligence and a safe digital transition at a G7 digital technology ministers meeting held in France.

The ministry said on May 30 it attended the G7 digital technology ministers meeting held in Paris on May 29 local time, with Second Vice Minister Ryu Je-myeong (류제명) serving as head of delegation.

Korea was invited to the G7 meeting this year as a key partner in the digital and AI 분야, following last year. Senior officials from G7 member states, invited countries and international organisations attended the meeting. They discussed major digital issues and cooperation measures, including safe and responsible AI, wider AI use by small and medium-sized firms, digital-based carbon neutrality and protection of minors online.

In an invited-country session, Ryu emphasised that what is needed in an era of a major digital and AI transformation is not choosing between innovation and trust, but advancing both. He also introduced Korea's AI expansion policies related to AI adoption by small and medium-sized firms, including an "AI one-stop voucher", a training programme for AI transformation (AX) specialists and support based on AI data centres. He also explained the policy direction for supporting commercialisation by AI startups and small and medium-sized firms.

He also mentioned the "AI Basic Act" implemented this year, the AI Safety Institute, the "AI Seoul Summit" and the "APEC AI Initiative", and shared a direction for AI governance in which safety and innovation are in harmony. He introduced efforts to create a safe digital environment, including Korea's carbon-neutrality policies such as lowering power consumption at data centres, low-power AI networks and eco-friendly AI data-centre policies, as well as an AI-based proactive response system for online sexual exploitation of children and adolescents.

The ministry will also visit French AI company Mistral AI on the occasion of attending the G7 ministers meeting. Ryu will meet with co-founder and CEO Arthur Mensch and discuss measures for cooperation in the AI industry, talent exchanges and cooperation on the development direction of the AI Basic Act.

Ryu said, "AI and digital technologies are creating new growth opportunities while at the same time raising tasks of trust and safety." He added, "Korea will actively contribute to global AI cooperation based on a balance between innovation and trust."