South Korea’s “world-first” AI laws face resistance as it attempts to become a leading tech power

SSouth Korea has made a foray into AI regulation, introducing what it claims is the world’s most comprehensive set of laws that could prove a model for other countries, but the new legislation has already faced resistance.

The laws forcing companies to label AI-generated content have been criticized by local tech startups who say they go too far and civil society groups who say they don’t go far enough.

The AI ​​Basic Law, which came into force on Thursday last week, comes amid growing global alarm over man-made media and automated decision-making as governments struggle to keep up with rapidly evolving technologies.

The law will force companies offering AI services to:

• Add invisible digital watermarks for clearly artificial output such as cartoons or artwork. Realistic deepfakes require visible labels.

• “High-Impact AI,” including medical diagnosis, hiring, and loan approval systems,…