Korean Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jeong-kwan proposed the establishment of artificial intelligence (AI) standards that reflect the needs and experiences of the industrial sector during the G20 meeting. He emphasized the need to balance AI innovation with intellectual property protection and highlighted the importance of enhancing global supply chain resilience through the transition to manufacturing AI.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy reported that Minister Kim attended the '2026 G20 Innovation Ministers' Meeting' as the chief representative of South Korea on September 2 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The meeting, hosted by the United States, the G20 chair this year, brought together ministers from member countries to discuss topics including intellectual property policies for AI, standards for AI, and investments in industrial innovation and supply chains.
Minister Kim stressed that as AI rapidly changes the ways of research and development (R&D), creation, and innovation, the system must evolve to strengthen the relationship between intellectual property rights and AI innovation. He noted that the expansion of AI utilization in the patent field has broadened opportunities for participation in innovation, and a reliable patent system must support this.
In the area of copyright, he shared South Korea's experiences with fair use principles and guidelines related to AI training. He particularly emphasized the need to respect the legitimate rights of creators while allowing AI companies and developers to innovate in a predictable environment.
Regarding international AI standards, he highlighted the necessity of incorporating the demands and practical experiences from the industrial sector. He also mentioned that South Korea is supporting the discovery and development of AI standards based on corporate participation in key industries such as autonomous manufacturing, future vehicles, and robotics. As AI technologies and services spread across borders, he called for international cooperation to enhance interoperability and reliability between technologies and systems.
In the supply chain sector, Minister Kim shared South Korea's Manufacturing AI Transition (M.AX) policy. He explained that utilizing AI for production planning, demand forecasting, and supply chain and inventory management can improve companies' responsiveness to changes and enhance the efficiency and flexibility of supply chains.
To increase supply chain resilience, he emphasized the need to diversify suppliers and connect the industrial strengths of various countries. He proposed expanding trust-based partnerships in key resources and materials and components, urging the G20 to play a role in building open and complementary supply chains.
Minister Kim stated, "For AI innovation to translate into actual industrial competitiveness, not only must technological advancements occur, but the supporting intellectual property system, standards, and resilient supply chains must also develop together. We will actively collaborate with G20 member countries based on the experiences from the industrial sector."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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