- Plans include a 2026 rollout of a domestic chatbot service as part of South Korea's 'AI for All' initiative.
- A public AI agent will be introduced to provide AI-based assistance while working towards an 'AI Universal Basic Society' for South Koreans.
- Interested companies have until 11 August 2026 to submit proposals for the project, with two to three firms expected to be selected as service providers.
- A beta service is set for rollout at the end of September, prior to the full launch of the initiative.
- The goal of the 'AI for All' project is to ensure that all South Koreans can access AI services via a sovereign foundation model.
- One of the project's targets is to ultimately have one AI agent per citizen, addressing the growing importance of AI in individual competitiveness.
- MSIT highlighted the urgency of preventing an AI divide that could lead to social and economic disparities, noting that approximately two-thirds of the population had used AI services by 2025.
- Under the 'AI for All' initiative, the chatbot will be free to use without limits on usage, contrasting with current foreign AI platforms that may impose restrictions.
- Starting in 2027, the government plans to cover the costs required to provide the AI service to all citizens through the national budget.
- AI utilisation education will be strengthened through enhanced educational opportunities as part of the government's plan.
- Deputy Prime Minister and MSIT Minister Bae Kyung-hoon emphasized the need for public support to improve South Korea's AI capabilities.
South Korea's 'AI for All' initiative aims to provide every citizen with a personal AI agent, addressing the growing need for equitable access to technology. The Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) emphasizes that as AI usage becomes crucial for competitiveness, preventing a digital divide is essential.8
The project targets a beta service rollout by the end of September, with a full launch planned for 2026. MSIT noted that approximately two-thirds of the population had used AI services by 2025, highlighting the urgency of the initiative. The government plans to offer a public AI agent that will provide unlimited assistance, contrasting with current foreign platforms that may impose usage limits.
Deputy Prime Minister and MSIT Minister Bae Kyung-hoon stated, "As one's ability to use AI increasingly determines individual competitiveness, ensuring that the AI divide does not lead to social and economic divides has become an urgent task of our time." The initiative also includes plans for AI education to enhance skills among citizens, with the government providing 512 advanced GPUs to support early AI service launches.12
Starting in 2027, the government will cover costs to ensure all citizens can access these services through the national budget, aiming for an AI Universal Basic Society in South Korea.10
“The South Korean government plans to provide 512 advanced GPUs to support the early launch of AI services, with a beta service expected by the end of September. Deputy Prime Minister Bae Kyung-hoon emphasized the importance of ensuring that AI access does not lead to social and economic divides.”
