- South Korea will provide free generative AI services to all its citizens, becoming the first country to deploy AI as a national-scale public infrastructure.
- The “AI for All” program aims to promote AI sovereignty, encouraging citizens to use chatbots developed by Korean companies instead of relying on US or Chinese models.
- AI will be integrated with government systems to support medical appointments, house hunting, tax consulting, checking eligibility for state support, and suggesting learning content for children.
- Three tech consortiums were selected, including South Korea’s two largest telecommunications groups and the operator of Kakao, the country’s popular multi-service app.
- The program will begin beta testing in September and is expected to be officially deployed by the end of 2026.
- The government will allocate up to 512 Nvidia B200 chips to the three consortiums and support operating costs, though the specific total budget for the program has not been announced.
- Surveys show that about 25 percent of South Koreans pay for generative AI services, while the rate in the US is only about 2 percent.
- More than 20 million South Koreans currently use free versions of generative AI.
- The government is allocating approximately 10 trillion won (about $7.2 billion) for AI programs in 2026, triple the previous year’s amount.
- Citizens will be able to use AI with unlimited tokens through new applications and existing services from the tech consortiums.
📌 South Korea is viewing generative AI as essential infrastructure similar to public utilities. With a budget of approximately 10 trillion won (about $7.2 billion), up to 512 Nvidia B200 chips, and unlimited AI access for citizens, the “AI for All” program not only promotes AI popularization but also strengthens technological sovereignty, reduces dependence on foreign AI platforms, and creates a foundation for government digital services.
