AI for All: South Korea Presents Free and Unlimited Model for Everyone

South Korea has announced an initiative aimed at making artificial intelligence an accessible service for the entire population. The Ministry of Science and ICT has unveiled the AI for All project, a program that includes the creation of a free and unlimited AI chatbot intended for all citizens, accompanied by an assistant dedicated to public administration services.

The goal is to provide a platform developed by private companies, primarily based on South Korean language models, thereby strengthening the national artificial intelligence ecosystem and reducing dependence on foreign platforms.

According to the plan presented by the government, the service will include a general-use AI chatbot, accessible for free, and a second AI agent designed to help users identify government programs, check eligibility for public services, and complete related administrative procedures. This approach prioritizes practical applications that simplify the relationship between citizens and public administration.

To build the infrastructure, two or three private operators will be selected, responsible for developing the platform. The government will provide up to 512 NVIDIA B200 GPUs, while the involved companies will need to contribute their own investments. The beta phase is scheduled for the end of September, while the official launch is expected by the end of 2026.

Among the requirements imposed by the Ministry is the obligation that at least 50% of the service uses base models developed in South Korea and compliant with government standards. In the case of operators using proprietary models, over 30% of the system must come from other South Korean companies specialized in AI. Foreign solutions can only cover specific needs and will not benefit from public funding.

This setup aims to keep public investments within the national technology industry, while simultaneously increasing the country's autonomy from international suppliers. The idea behind the project is to ensure a stable service even if foreign platforms modify usage conditions, operational limits, or availability.

Government economic support is expected until the end of 2030, although the resources available from 2027 onward will depend on annual evaluations and state budget decisions. Interested companies can submit their applications until August 11. With AI for All, South Korea is moving from experimental programs and research incentives to an initiative aimed at offering universal access to artificial intelligence rooted in national enterprises.