South Korea is on the verge of rolling out a sprawling national AI program to provide all citizens free access to a general-purpose AI service with no restrictions on usage. The government-backed initiative, dubbed “AI for All,” is designed to make AI more accessible to people throughout the country and to strengthen South Korea’s AI ecosystem in the country. It will launch beta testing in September and end up with more widespread deployment later this year.
The project is led by South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) in what it describes as an effort toward building an “AI universal basic society.” AI should be a widely available digital product rather than just for those who can afford high-end subscriptions and technical know-how. The programme would allow citizens to use a local, general-purpose AI chatbot without additional fees or usage restrictions.
And the plan goes well beyond having access to an AI chatbot. The “AI for All” initiative is also to include a public-service AI agent to help citizens research government programmes and benefits. The system is supposed to make it easier for citizens to identify support programmes they may qualify for and, eventually, assist them with applications. AI could become a more salient component of everyday interactions between citizens and government services.
Focus on Homegrown AI
A key goal of the programme is to reduce South Korea’s reliance on foreign AI platforms. The government aims to build the service primarily around domestic AI models, which would be consistent with its overall strategy of developing sovereign AI capabilities. The official programme documents state that selected operators must use qualified domestic AI models to cover a significant portion of their services, while foreign models can only be used where necessary and would not receive government support for that portion.
The initiative also comes as AI adoption is growing in South Korea. According to figures by the science ministry, about two-thirds of Koreans had used AI services and around 23 million people had used generative AI. At the same time, the government estimates that about one-third of the population still doesn't use AI, highlighting the digital-access gap that the programme aims to bridge.
The government also sees free access as a way to protect users from changes in commercial AI services. Free versions of major international AI platforms usually come with restrictions such as usage limits, and subscription prices and service policies can change. By providing citizens with a domestic public AI service, South Korea wants to offer a more stable and accessible service for citizens in a way that is widely available.
AI Services for Everyday Use
The proposed service could eventually have applications well beyond basic questions and conversations. The government’s public AI agent is designed to help citizens find information about public support schemes and services. Rather than searching through multiple government websites, users could engage with an AI system that helps to determine the programme and guide them through the application process.
The longer-term vision is even broader. South Korea’s science ministry has said it wants to develop AI agents that are easier to use than chatbots and eventually move toward a system where every citizen can have access to a personal AI agent. And the government has indicated that this development will continue after 2027.
To support the programme, the government is going to offer significant computing resources to participating companies. Up to 512 Nvidia B200 graphics processing units could be provided for selected operators, the plan said. Two to three companies or consortiums were expected to take part in delivering the nationwide service.
The latest development also shows that the project is moving from planning to implementation. South Korea recently picked SK Telecom, KT, and Kakao to lead the national AI initiative, Reuters reports citing Yonhap. The involvement of large telecommunications and technology companies could help the government distribute the service to a large population while integrating AI into platforms that citizens already use.
A Major Test for Public AI
South Korea's “AI for All” could be an important experiment in how governments provide artificial intelligence as a public service. To provide unlimited AI access across the country will require a considerable amount of computing infrastructure, funding, and support.
The financial sustainability of the programme is also crucial. Large AI models for millions of people need huge computing power and energy. Government budget support will be provided to cover national operating costs from 2027 (although the long-term economics of unlimited access will remain an important consideration).
If successful, South Korea’s initiative could provide a model for other countries considering AI as a public digital utility. It could also strengthen the country’s domestic AI industry by giving Korean-developed models access to a huge user base.
For citizens, the immediate attraction is simple: access to a general-purpose AI service without subscription fees or standard usage limits. With beta testing scheduled in September and a wider launch planned before the end of 2026, South Korea is preparing to make AI access available on an unprecedented national scale.
