SEOUL: South Korea has taken a major step into AI governance by enacting what officials call the world’s first comprehensive artificial intelligence law, placing significant new requirements on developers, deployers and users of advanced systems. The AI Basic Act, which took effect Jan. 22, 2026, is designed to strengthen safety, transparency and human oversight in rapidly evolving AI markets and positions Seoul as a global leader in AI policy.
The law imposes risk-based obligations on so-called “high-impact” AI systems used in sectors ranging from healthcare and finance to transport and critical infrastructure, requiring companies to maintain human control and notify users when generative AI is in use. It also mandates clear labeling of AI-generated content that might be hard to distinguish from human-created output.
Seoul’s government argues the legal framework will build public trust and lay the groundwork for sustainable AI innovation. According to a Ministry of Science and ICT press release, the act provides a governance framework, supports industry growth and establishes bodies such as a National AI Committee and an AI Safety Institute to oversee implementation.
However, the law has elicited pushback from parts of the domestic tech community. Some startups, which may lack the resources to meet the new compliance obligations, have voiced concerns that stringent requirements could stifle innovation. One local industry group summed up that anxiety, asking publicly: “Why do we have to be first?” — reflecting fears that regulatory burdens could hinder competitiveness before clear implementation guidelines are in place.
The act places Seoul ahead of other major economies — including the European Union and United States — in formalizing comprehensive AI governance, even as debates continue over how best to balance oversight with technological growth.