South Korea Considers Expanding Overtime for AI Research and Development

Government officials are considering expanding special extended work hours for the artificial intelligence (AI) research and development sector. As competition intensifies in AI technologies such as autonomous driving, the government aims to gather feedback from the research community to discuss potential improvements to the system.

On June 26, the Ministry of Employment and Labor held the fifth meeting of the Labor Time Reduction Roadmap Implementation Committee at Hyundai Motor's research facility in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, where they discussed the expansion of special extended work hours for AI research and development.

Special extended work hours allow employees to work beyond the legal limit of 52 hours per week with the consent of the worker and approval from the Minister of Employment and Labor under exceptional circumstances. Currently, this provision is recognized only in specific sectors, such as semiconductors and certain materials, components, and equipment.

This meeting is part of follow-up actions to the 'Labor Time Reduction Roadmap' announced by labor, management, and government representatives at the end of last year. Previously, the committee had gathered insights from AI-related associations and companies regarding the actual labor hour practices and challenges faced during the research and development process. This time, they visited the automotive AI research site to hear opinions directly.

During the discussions, participants emphasized the need to adjust labor hour regulations to enhance the research and development environment for securing competitiveness in AI technologies, including autonomous driving.

Kim Hyun-yong, head of the Korea Automotive Technology Institute, stated, "The emergence of AI-based autonomous vehicles is rapidly changing the paradigm of the automotive industry. To respond to the technological competition from the United States and China, substantial investment in research and development in the autonomous driving AI sector is essential."

A researcher developing autonomous driving AI algorithms at Hyundai Motor also noted, "In the process of real-world testing and safety verification, it is inevitable to repeatedly analyze specific errors and modify algorithms. We hope for institutional improvements in labor hour management to avoid falling behind in global technological competition."

The Implementation Committee discussed the potential for flexible work arrangements to respond to changes in AI technology, the necessity of special extended work hours, and measures to protect workers' health rights.

Lee Hyun-ok, head of the Labor Policy Office at the Ministry of Labor, remarked, "Since special extended work hours are an exceptional regulation of working time, we will carefully consider the expansion in the AI research and development sector by thoroughly gathering opinions from labor, management, and experts. We will continue to discuss ways to ensure both corporate competitiveness and workers' health rights are protected."