Recently, leading US artificial intelligence companies have increasingly emphasized the need to regulate the pace of AI development and strengthen global safety standards. While experts generally acknowledge the valid concerns regarding safety, alignment, and the potential unintended harms of advanced AI systems, they warn that this sudden shift toward caution could act as a severe entry barrier for latecomer nations like South Korea, effectively "pulling up the ladder" after the US-China duopoly has already secured a commanding lead.

Addressing this trend on social media, President Lee Jae-myung remarked, "While it is a valid point, AI has already become a reality beyond mere morality and duty. Crisis is opportunity. If you cannot avoid it, you must enjoy it." This underscores South Korea’s resolve not to be left behind in the race for technological sovereignty.

However, the core issue lies in who dictates these safety frameworks. Because US firms currently dominate the global AI ecosystem, standards shaped primarily by them risk becoming protectionist tools or formidable barriers to entry for Korean enterprises. Professor Lee Seung-hyun of Hanyang University ERICA noted that allowing American corporations to single-handedly dictate global standards risks locking the entire AI landscape into a US-centric paradigm, widening the technology gap irreversibly. Experts emphasize that South Korea must proactively participate in international standard-setting bodies rather than remaining a passive rule-taker, ensuring that bilateral US-China arrangements or corporate gatekeeping do not sideline middle-power nations.

Skepticism also exists regarding the true intentions of American AI giants. Dr. Honglak Lee, Co-Director of LG AI Research, pointed out that major US labs are likely accelerating their underlying computational investments and R&D behind closed doors, interpreting their public caution merely as a call for prudent pre-release screening rather than an actual halt to progress.

Furthermore, AI safety and cybersecurity are inextricably linked to "AI Sovereign Power." Earlier this year, Anthropic launched the security cooperative "Project Glasswing" to restrict access to cutting-edge models, while Washington increasingly treats AI security as a core national security matter subject to strict export controls—policies that directly impact South Korea’s tech supply chain.

To navigate this high-stakes geopolitical landscape, Professor Lee Won-tae of Kookmin University stressed that the government must move beyond the false dichotomy of "development versus regulation." South Korea must rapidly secure domestic frontier AI capabilities while simultaneously establishing independent testing, verification, and governance frameworks to safeguard its national AI sovereignty.

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