Page 29 - FAIR TRADE COMMISSION 2023 ANNUAL REPORT

(2) Creating a task force to cope with AI challenges
The rapid development of digital computation, deep learning algorithms and big data technologies has propelled technological research for artificial intelligence to make rapid advances. As AI technologies will gradually be applied in industries and society, affect the life of mankind and impact existing legal regulations, the Commission, as the competition authority, has the responsibility to identify future enforcement directions under the premise that competition among innovative technologies will not be impeded.
In response to the likely challenges brought by artificial intelligence, the Commission created an AI task force in May 2023 to keep track of the developments in AI-related issues around the world and study the challenges to the enforcement of competition law resulting from AI development and issues associated with the definition of the relevant markets of AI products and thereby formulate complementary measures for competition law and policy. The vice chairperson of the Commission served as the director of the task force to oversee the operation. The Department of Planning, Department of Service Industry Competition, Department of Manufacturing Industry Competition, Department of Fair Competition, the Information and Economic Analysis Office and the Department of Legal Affairs each assigned staff members to participate. Two meetings were convened in 2023 and AI specialists from the industrial and academic sectors were invited to attend and offer their opinions.
Meanwhile, in order to understand the regulations on competition in the AI industry in different countries, the Commission held a workshop on Artificial Intelligence and Competition Law on Dec. 19, 2023 and invited Associate Professor Yong Lim of Seoul National University to give a special topic speech which was entitled “Future of the Past: the Revelation of the Case of United States vs. Microsoft Corp. in the Artificial Intelligence Era.” Arrangements were made for local scholars and specialists to discuss issues regarding the connection between AI and market power, cartels and mergers. The activities helped promote international exchange on AI and competition law issues and point out research directions in the future.
▲The Commission’s Workshop on Artificial Intelligence and Competition Law
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Important Achievements in 2023