Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang (L) speaks next to Science Minister Bae Kyung-hoon during the Korea AI Ecosystem Reception in Seoul, South Korea, 08 June 2026. Photo by YONHAP / EPA
July 13 (Asia Today) — South Korea began accepting proposals Monday for a government-backed artificial intelligence service intended to provide every citizen with free access to an AI chatbot and public-service assistant.
The Ministry of Science and ICT said applications for the “AI for Everyone” project will remain open through Aug. 11.
The ministry plans to select two or three private companies with experience providing services directly to the public. The selected companies are expected to launch the initial service before the end of the year.
The project is part of the government’s effort to create what it calls an “AI basic society,” in which people can use artificial intelligence regardless of income, age or digital literacy.
The service will include a general-purpose AI chatbot available to the public at no charge.
Developers will be required to use South Korean AI models that meet the government’s independent foundation-model standards for at least 50% of the system.
The government also plans to offer a public-service AI agent that can identify benefits and administrative programs relevant to individual users, notify them in advance and assist with applications.
The ministry will provide the selected companies with a combined 512 Nvidia B200 graphics processing units.
Beginning in 2027, the government plans to provide budget support to help cover the cost of operating the service nationwide.
Officials said the project is intended to prevent widening social and economic inequality as AI becomes increasingly important in education, employment and access to government services.
A government survey found that 31.9% of people considered digitally vulnerable, including older adults and low-income residents, had experience using AI services.
The comparable rate among the general public was 59.4%.
The government ultimately aims to establish a system in which every citizen can use a personalized AI agent beginning in 2027.
The administration’s concept of an AI basic society includes using the technology to improve access to healthcare, education, financial services and public safety.
Deputy Prime Minister and Science and ICT Minister Bae Kyung-hoon said the government expects artificial intelligence to increase productivity but also create risks such as job losses and greater concentration of wealth.
“AI for Everyone will create equal opportunities for everyone,” Bae said at a news conference marking the government’s first year in office in May.
Bae compared the proposed service to calculators and computers that became basic tools in earlier stages of technological development.
“AI for Everyone is more than a single service,” Bae said. “It will help people work, learn and live their daily lives together with AI.”
“It will serve as a platform that helps ensure everyone can share in the benefits of the new economic structure created by AI,” he said.
— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI
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Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260713010004799
