The South Korean government has unveiled an ambitious new strategy to combat online piracy through artificial intelligence, as part of a broader initiative to expand Korean content globally.
According to a recent report from the Ministry of Science and ICT (MiST), the government plans to transition from manual detection methods to AI-powered systems that can automatically identify and track illegal streaming sites and video services.
The strategy was announced during a meeting between MiST officials, online distribution services, and major technology companies including Samsung and LG. The comprehensive plan includes establishing a 1 trillion won (US$685 million) public-private fund to promote Korean content internationally.
Beyond piracy prevention, the AI initiative encompasses several other applications. The technology will be used for dubbing content into foreign languages, powering recommendation systems on Korean streaming platforms, and enabling interactive storytelling features.
The government also plans to utilize an extensive archive of three million hours of video content from the past 70 years to train AI models. These models will assist in content generation and various stages of production.
Companies that integrate AI and digital technologies like visual effects and editing will receive preferential treatment. The government will also provide training programs to boost AI literacy in the industry.
The anti-piracy push aligns with Korea's ongoing efforts to protect its content globally. Recently, the Korea Copyright Commission recognized individuals contributing to this mission, including Interpol Special Agent Hong Seong-jin, who advocates for increased international collaboration in fighting digital piracy.
This new strategy represents a technological leap forward in Korea's content protection efforts, combining innovative AI applications with traditional law enforcement approaches to safeguard its growing media industry.