As the competition for technological hegemony intensifies between the U.S. and China, major advanced countries around the world, including the U.S., are increasingly strengthening their strategies to protect and foster their technologies and industries in core science and technology fields. The governments of individual countries are expanding R&D investment, reorganizing legal and institutional foundations for technology protection and fostering, and aiming to strengthen national security and industrial ecosystems as well as securing technological competitiveness.

Major advanced economies, such as the U.S., the UK, and the EU, are formulating sophisticated policy frameworks aimed at promoting the growth of core science and technology fields. These frameworks involve easing unnecessary regulations while introducing new measures to safeguard critical technologies. Accordingly, it is essential to conduct a comparative analysis of these countries’ strategies for science and technology development, their approaches to fostering innovation ecosystems, and their industrial policy directions by examining the legal, institutional, and policy innovation strategies in major advanced countries.

Amid intensifying competition for technological hegemony between advanced countries, each country is focusing on securing technological independence and sustainability. The U.S. is intensively fostering high-tech industries such as semiconductors, AI, quantum technology, and biotechnology through its “America First” strategy, and is also restricting foreign investment and controlling technology transfer. The UK is strengthening its strategic choices to overcome the problem of low economic growth following Brexit and improve the UK’s global competitiveness in core technologies, while pursuing R&D investment and regulatory reform in fields such as AI and quantum technology. The EU is working to convert its technological innovation policy, which used to be centered on individual member states, into a more common strategy at the EU level, and is carrying out large-scale R&D investment and regulatory reform to secure the EU’s global competitiveness.

In addition, China has made science and technology independence its top priority in the face of U.S. countermeasures and is accelerating its own technology development in fields such as semiconductors, space-technology, biotechnology, and high-tech manufacturing. As such, major advanced countries are implementing strategic policies to strengthen their technological sovereignty and secure leadership in the global technology competition, underscoring the need for Korea to respond quickly and systematically. Korea also needs a strategic approach to respond to the intensifying global competition in technology, particularly by overcoming the limitations of existing systems and by innovating regulatory reforms tailored to the evolving technological landscape. There is a growing demand for the need to remove institutional barriers that hinder the development of science and technology and to establish a flexible regulatory framework that can accommodate new emerging technologies. In particular, as the perception that regulatory innovation is directly connected to national competitiveness spreads, now is the time for Korea to take active policy measures in response.

In the fields of science and technology, changes in the R&D, production, delivery, and transaction methods of new technologies are leading to conflicts with existing laws and systems, as well as the emergence of new regulatory issues. The phenomenon of “regulatory delay”—caused by the absence of appropriate laws or regulatory gaps—is becoming increasingly severe, posing obstacles to the commercialization of new technologies by companies and research institutions. To address this, major advanced countries are making continuous and focused efforts to promote regulatory innovation. Analyzing these strategies can help us better understand how regulatory innovation is being implemented in the fields of science and technology in major advanced countries.

By investigating and analyzing the implications, promotion strategies, detailed focus areas, and key characteristics of regulatory innovation strategies pursued by major advanced countries to achieve global technological leadership and foster innovative growth in related industries, this study aims to present effective response strategies for Korea to prepare the rapidly evolving future regulatory environment in the fields of science and technology, through a multifaceted analysis of regulatory innovation strategies by areas—that has not been fully addressed in existing research areas.

The first step in investigating and analyzing regulatory innovation strategies in the fields of science and technology in major advanced countries is to select three advanced countries to be studied. The U.S. was selected for its leadership in science, technology, and industrial ecosystems, as well as its global influence on national regulatory innovation strategies. The UK was chosen for its pioneering role in regulatory innovation strategies in the fields of science and technology, and the EU was selected for its role in driving innovative demand in new industrial sectors. These three entities were identified as the major advanced economies to be included in the study.

The next step is to select some fields to be investigated among the various fields of science and technology. In 2024, the Ministry of Science and ICT announced three major game changer technologies (AI-semiconductor, advanced bio, quantum), on the basis of which a total of four science and technology fields were selected: semiconductors, advanced biotechnology, AI, and quantum technology.

The final step is to categorize various areas—such as institutions, governance, standards and certification, ethics, international cooperation, subsidies and tax incentives, experimental testing and scientific-technological capabilities, hostile response policies and strategies, and public/private protection (safety and security)—into three major groups; ① system and governance, ② Fostering and advancing the science and technology ecosystem and ③ technology security. Based on this classification, the study systematically analyzes the regulatory innovation strategies of major advanced countries in the fields of semiconductors, advanced biotechnology, AI, and quantum technology the perspective of these three categories.

Subsequently, the findings of major studies that have investigated and analyzed regulatory innovation strategies in core science and technology fields - such as semiconductors, advanced biotechnology, AI, and quantum technology in the U.S., UK, and EU are summarized as follows.

In the field of semiconductor, the three major advanced economies are working to promote semiconductor production and innovation within their borders, execute export control regulations, and respond to a supply-crisis caused by semiconductor shortages in order to protect their respective technological advantages. Each country is promoting innovative policies that include subsidies, tax incentives, and R&D policy funds in its innovative regulatory framework. The UK is strengthening its strategic choices to maintain and expand its strategic advantage in this sector based on its strengths in semiconductor design and intellectual property, compound semiconductors, and the world’s best research and innovation systems, with a relatively smaller amount of support than the U.S. and EU. In Korea, the so-called “K Chips Act” (amended by the Restriction of Special Taxation Act) was passed at the National Assembly plenary session in February 2025 to strengthen tax incentives for investment, such as the expansion of semiconductor companies’ factories. In addition, special laws for strengthening the competitiveness of the semiconductor industry and innovative growth are being discussed by the relevant committees of the National Assembly.

In the field of advanced biotechnology, the U.S. has been continuously implementing innovation policies to improve the regulatory environment through the Coordinated Framework for the Regulation, the federal government’s basic guidelines for regulating biotechnology products. The UK is pushing for the government’s smart regulatory program to remove regulatory barriers and prepare for the future of regulatory frameworks by explaining regulatory issues related to engineering biology through RHC(Regulatory Horizons Council). In addition, the regulatory sandbox for engineering biology is being promoted through the EBRN. The EU is focusing on simplifying regulatory pathways through a series of measures to promote biotechnology and bio manufacturing in the EU, and is implementing measures to further promote the establishment of regulatory sandboxes to quickly launch them in the market. Korea has enacted and is currently implementing the Biotechnology Promotion Act, which aims to efficiently foster and develop biotechnology by establishing a solid research foundation and promoting the industrialization of biotechnological advancements. In January 2025, the National Bio Commission was launched, and the government unveiled the “Korea Bio Great Transformation National Strategy,” which aims to position Korea among the world’s top five biotechnology leaders by 2035 through sweeping transformations in infrastructure, R&D, and the bioindustry.

In the field of AI, although the US has long led the world in AI technology and scientific advancement, its AI regulatory framework only began to take full shape in 2024. That year, President Joe Biden issued a new executive order titled the “AI Executive Order on Safe AI.” This executive order establishes new standards for the safety and security of AI, protects privacy, promotes civil rights, fosters innovation, and introduces stronger regulations to prevent the misuse of AI.

The UK, through its National AI Strategy, has proposed short-, medium-, and long-term measures aimed at achieving three core priorities: investment in the AI ecosystem, ensuring that the benefits of AI are distributed across all sectors and regions, and establishing effective AI governance. Furthermore, to lead responsible innovation in artificial intelligence (AI) and maintain public trust in the technology, the UK became the first country in the world to publish an AI regulatory white paper titled A Pro-Innovation Approach to AI Regulation, which provides guidance on the use of AI. The UK government subsequently published a Government Response that compiled and addressed questions from various relevant institutions regarding the white paper, thereby presenting a foundational regulatory framework for AI. In addition, the UK is building its AI governance structure by establishing the world’s first government- supported AI Safety Institute and forming a Regulator Ecosystem composed of multiple regulatory bodies. The EU finally approved the “AI Act,” the world’s first comprehensive AI technology regulation, on May 21, 2024. The EU AI governance system has been established as a separate AI Board consisting of the EU Commission, its AI Office, and delegations from EU member states.

Recently, Korea became the second country in the world, following the European Union, to enact an “AI Basic Act,” which is scheduled to take effect in January 2026.

Korea’s AI Basic Act includes provisions for the establishment and implementation of a national AI master plan every three years, the formation of a national-level AI governance structure and support for the innovative development of the AI ecosystem through measures such as securing professional talent, designating AI industrial clusters, building AI testbeds, promoting AI data center policies, and facilitating international cooperation. The Act also addresses AI technology standardization, the establishment of ethical principles, the expansion of financial resources for AI industry promotion, and the prevention of AI-related risks, including administrative fines. It defines “high-impact AI” as a target for regulation and outlines obligations for transparency, safety assurance, and provider responsibility. However, generative AI is largely exempt from the major regulatory provisions.

The US has adopted a strategic and agile approach to AI governance by issuing sector-specific guidelines and recommendations, executive orders, and fostering collaboration with companies and research institutions. This allows for a rapid and flexible response to the fast-evolving AI landscape. Similarly, the UK is pursuing a pro-innovation and flexible regulatory approach, introducing measures to address the misuse of AI and establishing regulations tailored to specific AI use cases. In contrast, the European Union has implemented a risk-based regulatory framework that classifies AI systems into categories such as “unacceptable risk/high risk/limited risk/minimal risk.” It imposes explicit regulatory obligations on AI systems falling under the “unacceptable/high-risk” categories, and includes provisions for general-purpose AI models. Korea, for its part, defines “high-impact AI” and outlines obligations related to transparency, safety, and provider responsibility. However, generative AI remains largely outside the scope of major regulatory provisions.

In the field of quantum technology, the U.S. has developed a comprehensive and broad-based regulatory framework to maintain and develop global leadership. In particular, the U.S. seeks to enhance national security and economic competitiveness through a strategic regulatory framework for quantum research, development, and science and technology. The UK has outlined 13 Priority Actions under its National Quantum Strategy and established the Office for Quantum within the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), which regularly reports to the National Science and Technology Council chaired by the Prime Minister.

In February 2024, DSIT’s RHC released a report recommending a regulatory policy for nurturing the UK’s innovation-friendly quantum ecosystem. The report is based on four core principles—proportionality, adaptability, accountability, and balance—and was prompted by the growing need for proactive discussions on the timing, scope, and form of regulations to ensure stable investment and development in quantum technology. The RHC made 14 recommendations emphasizing the need to establish strong governance, including the development of a quantum technology regulatory framework and the need for a regulatory framework based on standards, guidelines, and responsible innovation practices. DSIT is working on ways to identify regulatory requirements in the future, such as conducting horizon scanning for future regulatory requirements and adjusting proportional regulatory initiatives.

The EU launched its Quantum Technology Flagship in 2018, following the issuance of its Quantum Manifesto in May 2016. This flagship initiative brings together research institutions, industry players, and public funding bodies to consolidate and expand Europe’s scientific leadership and excellence in quantum technologies.

In the Strategic Research and Industry Agenda (SRIA) 2030 roadmap, the EU emphasizes the need to develop independent capabilities in quantum technology development and production to secure global leadership, protect strategic interests, ensure autonomy, and strengthen security—while avoiding dependence on third countries. The EU aims to establish the world’s leading ecosystem that translates lab-scale research into mass production across various scientific and industrial applications. Moreover, the EU highlights the importance of leveraging the economic and societal potential of quantum technologies to strengthen its position as a global player in this transformative field, ultimately positioning Europe as the world’s “Quantum Valley.” Korea’s Quantum Technology Industry Act, along with the National Quantum Strategy and various quantum initiatives, represents a set of innovative policy measures aimed at establishing a research foundation for quantum’s science-technology and systematically fostering the quantum industry. These efforts reflect the pursuit of multi-faceted innovation strategies across the key domains identified in this study. However, concrete strategic initiatives focused on identifying regulatory challenges in the quantum science and technology sector and anticipating future regulatory environments remain limited.

As a strategic response to such regulatory innovation policies in advanced major countries, the following approaches can be considered.

First, it is necessary to establish governance that support innovation across the broader economy while providing recommendations on the prioritization of regulatory reform in alignment with the regulatory environment in the fields of science and technology. Next, it is essential to proactively establish systems and strategies for scanning anticipatively regulatory environments and requirements in the fields of science and technology, and to strengthen integrated regulatory approaches starting from the R&D stage. Next, it is important to establish robust regulatory frameworks for core fields of science and technology and to advance innovation strategies—such as large-scale financial support—in order to secure technological leadership and foster a resilient and competitive ecosystem.

Furthermore, there is an increasing need to enhance global cooperation strategies aimed at ensuring alignment and harmonization with international regulations, grounded in active participation in the development of global technical standards and regulatory frameworks. Additionally, enhancing regulatory sandbox systems in core fields of science and technology will be essential for promoting timely and flexible responses to technological innovation.

As a final consideration, the rapid advancement of technology is increasing the need to redesign anticipative regulatory innovation roadmaps in established fields, and the cycle of these rolling plans is expected to become shorter. It is also a time to initiate discussions on setting the cycle of these rolling plans, establishing clear procedures, and defining the legal basis for their implementation.