Seoul is moving to make artificial intelligence a public utility. On July 13, the Ministry of Science and ICT released a request for proposals that will select two or three companies to build a free, unlimited AI chatbot and public‑service agent for every South Korean citizen. The initiative, called “AI for Everyone,” aims to launch a beta version in September and deliver a full‑scale service by the end of the year.

The government will provide each selected firm with up to 512 Nvidia B200 GPUs, a sizable grant of computing power intended to jump‑start development. Companies must supplement the hardware with their own funding, matching the government’s contribution. Applications are open until August 11, after which a review process will determine the winners.

Crucially, the program mandates that at least 50 % of the chatbot’s underlying models be domestically developed. An additional 30 % of the system must be supplied by other Korean AI firms, creating a guaranteed market for home‑grown technology and reducing reliance on foreign providers such as OpenAI, Google and Anthropic. The policy reflects a broader strategy to turn AI access into national infrastructure rather than a commercial product.

South Korea’s push comes amid rapid adoption of generative AI. Two‑thirds of the population have already used AI tools, and 44.5 %—roughly 23 million people—engage with generative models on a regular basis. Yet most users turn to overseas services. As of April 2026, ChatGPT counts 23.45 million Korean users, followed by Google’s Gemini at 8.45 million and Anthropic’s Claude at 2.41 million. Only about 1.8 million citizens currently pay for AI subscriptions.

The “AI for Everyone” effort aligns with statements from the deputy prime minister in May, who argued that AI’s benefits must reach the broader public. That remark surfaced as Samsung’s labor union prepared a strike over the distribution of AI‑driven profits, underscoring domestic pressure to ensure technology serves the populace.

Funding for the venture stems largely from a chip tax windfall generated by semiconductor giants Samsung and SK Hynix. By channeling those revenues into AI infrastructure, Seoul hopes to link the country’s dominant position in hardware manufacturing with citizen‑facing services. The program is slated to run through 2030, providing a decade‑long framework for AI accessibility.

If successful, South Korea will become the first G20 nation to provide a free, universal AI chatbot as a public service. The move could set a precedent for other governments seeking to balance technological sovereignty with widespread digital inclusion.

This article was written with the assistance of AI.
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