The government will give priority consideration to AI products and services in public procurement and support the cost of AI services for vulnerable groups.

The Ministry of Science and ICT said on Monday that a revised enforcement decree under the Framework Act on the Development of Artificial Intelligence and the Establishment of a Trust Base, or the AI Basic Act, passed a Cabinet meeting. The decree will take effect from July 21 along with the revised AI Basic Act.

The revision details the scope of AI products and services eligible for priority consideration in public procurement, the definition of AI-vulnerable groups and those eligible for cost support, support for AI startups, and requirements for establishing and operating AI research institutes.

State agencies and other public bodies may give priority consideration to AI products and services verified by the science minister when introducing products and services needed for their work. Companies seeking verification must apply to the Korea AI and Software Industry Association (KOSA). If the Telecommunications Technology Association (TTA) technically reviews whether AI was actually used in the products and services, KOSA issues a verification certificate.

The review checks whether an AI computing system is integrated into a product or service and used to enhance functions and convenience, accessibility and efficiency. This year, the system will operate without a separate fee given it is in an early stage.

Products and services that receive a verification certificate will be given preferential treatment in the procurement market from August. When participating in the Multiple Award Schedule (MAS), the requirement for delivery performance of at least 30 million won will be waived. The threshold for the number of participating companies will also be eased to at least 2 from at least 3.

In qualification reviews for lump-sum contracts, they can receive a credit bonus worth 1.5 points in the technology score category. The requirement for 3 delivery performance cases needed for software unit-price contracts will also be waived. When applying for designation as an innovative AI software product, the verification certificate and proof of copyright registration can replace technical requirements such as patents.

The scope of AI-vulnerable groups will also expand. It will include not only people with disabilities, those aged 65 and older, recipients of basic livelihood support, and near-poverty groups, but also people such as women with career experience and job seekers who have difficulty accessing high-performance AI services. The state and local governments can support the cost of using products and services for AI-vulnerable groups. Regional university talent and science and engineering personnel outside the Seoul metropolitan area are also included as eligible for support.

The government has also 마련했다 procedures to support AI startups using the fund of funds for venture investment. Central administrative agencies can, if necessary, consult the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and request Korea Venture Investment to draw up an AI industry investment plan.

AI research institutes can be established by universities and companies, government-funded research institutions and non-profit corporations. The founding entity must meet financial requirements and 마련했다 security measures and internal management rules. Detailed requirements will be set by separate notice.

Bae Kyung-hoon (배경훈), deputy prime minister and minister of science and ICT, said, "We expect the adoption and use of AI in the public sector to accelerate and public access to AI to increase." He added, "The public sector will serve as a catalyst to swiftly adopt innovative AI technologies from the private sector."