On June 29, 2026, the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA) launched 11 new research and development projects to build a foundation for safe personal information use in artificial intelligence. The initiative, announced at a kickoff briefing in Seoul, targets deepfake suppression technology and privacy-by-design standards-two areas that directly affect how IT systems handle data in the AI era.
The projects span three categories: developing leading technologies for safe personal information use, creating global protection standards, and training professionals in personal information protection and use. KISA aims to establish both the technological and institutional footing needed to balance data utility with privacy.
Deepfake suppression and privacy-by-design
Among the key tasks, KISA will develop AI-based systems to curb deepfakes and craft privacy-by-design frameworks suited for AI workflows. The privacy-by-design approach embeds privacy controls directly into system architecture, a shift that requires developers and IT architects to rethink how they collect, process, and store data from the start.
These standards are meant to work alongside global personal information protection norms, giving Korean companies a clearer path to compliance while building AI systems.
Kickoff briefing and research collaboration
At the Lotte Tower conference hall, research institutions that signed R&D agreements in April shared their project goals, implementation strategies, and year-by-year execution plans. KISA also provided guidance on managing research expenses and procedures for amending agreements to keep the work on schedule.
The agency said it will regularly check progress and support collaboration among the institutions to produce tangible results in personal information protection and use.
KISA President Lee Sang-jung said, "To secure national competitiveness in the AI era, it is essential to create an environment where the public can entrust their data with confidence." He added that the agency will "establish a trust-based foundation where protection and use of personal information are balanced, contributing to strengthening national AI competitiveness."
Why this matters for IT and development professionals
For IT and development teams, the move toward privacy-by-design and deepfake suppression tools signals new requirements in system architecture and data handling. Building AI systems that comply with emerging global standards will demand updated skills. Professionals can explore relevant training through AI for IT & Development Courses. Government-led initiatives like this also highlight the need for public-sector AI literacy, an area addressed by AI for Government Courses.
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