Key facts
- South Korea will provide free access to premium generative AI for all citizens.
- The initiative, named "AI for All," will be delivered by three tech consortia.
- The government will allocate up to 512 Nvidia B200 chips among the consortia.
- Usage will be uncapped with no token limits.
- At least 80% of queries must be routed through Korean foundation models.
South Korea is launching "AI for All," a national program to provide its entire population with free access to premium generative AI services. The initiative aims to foster domestic AI development and reduce reliance on foreign models from the U.S. and China.
Three tech consortia, including major telecommunications operators and the company behind the Kakao platform, have been selected to deliver the services. These consortia will launch dedicated apps and integrate AI into existing products, offering uncapped usage with no token limits. The government will supply up to 512 of Nvidia's high-end B200 chips to these groups and contribute to operational costs.
The program mandates that at least 80% of all queries be processed through Korean-developed foundation models or those from other domestic firms, with foreign models permitted only when deemed necessary and without government subsidy. This move contrasts with other nations' approaches, such as the EU's InvestAI and India's IndiaAI Mission, which focus on mobilizing compute power and funding homegrown models.
Currently, a significant portion of South Koreans have tried AI, with millions using generative tools, but most utilize free foreign tiers. The new program seeks to shift this landscape by promoting the use of local AI solutions. Beta testing is set to commence in September, followed by a full rollout later this year. The administration has significantly increased its AI spending budget for 2026.