Samsung to prioritize safe and inclusive AI, says Lee Jae-yong

Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong emphasized the need for safe and inclusive AI at the AI Seoul Summit.

Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong, left on the screen, shares his vision for safe and inclusive AI at the AI Seoul Summit held on Tuesday evening. [PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE]

Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong pledged for safe and inclusive AI at the AI Seoul Summit on Tuesday evening.

“We see a very unique opportunity to leverage this technology for good, but it is also essential that we do it responsibly,” Lee said at the summit over video call.

“As we progress in innovation, minimizing the misuse and maximizing the benefits of AI must be a global conversation.”

Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak co-hosted the session.

The event, a follow-up to the November 2023 AI Safety Summit held in Britain, attracted global technology companies including Amazon, Meta, Google, Microsoft and Naver.

Lee emaphsized Samsung Electronics' core value of “moving humanity forward through technology,” adding that the company planned to make its AI products will be accessible to all corners of society.

“Together, we can make it a reality,” the chairman said.

“Samsung will cooperate with the global community in establishing international standards and developing solutions that promote safe, inclusive, and sustainable technology.”

Samsung Electronics unveiled its “AI for All” vision, a road map to developing AI that would allow people to use their devices more intuitively, at CES 2024.

Naver Founder and Global Investment Officer Lee Hae-jin, right, in 2019 [YONHAP]

Lee Hae-jin, founder of Naver and its global investment officer, also made a rare public appearance at the summit to deliver the portal giant's idea for safe AI.

Lee emphasized the need for diverse, localized AI models that understand the context of each region's culture and history.

“While search, in the past, offered diverse results upon the input of a single keyword, AI which instantly offers the answer doesn't allow for that kind of options,” the founder said at the summit.

“Such features of AI will have immense impacts on the children and teenagers of the future,” he said.

A generation's awareness of history and culture, he emphasized, will be established based on answers generated by a small number of algorithms.

Lee said Naver will unveil its AI Safety Framework next month, which will detail recommended safety measures for the use of AI. The company released its AI code of ethics in 2021.

BY JIN EUN-SOO [jin.eunsoo@joongang.co.kr]