South Korea's $20.8 Million Plan to Give Every Citizen a Free AI Assistant

South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) has opened a public tender for its "AI for Everyone" project, a free, domestically developed artificial intelligence service slated for a 2027 launch. The initiative aims to put a general-purpose chatbot into the hands of every citizen, handling everything from civil complaints to tax inquiries.

"free general-purpose artificial intelligence service"

The ElecKorean Government Launches Tender for Free National AI Service

The Elec reported the tender was announced on July 13, while The Register noted the contract is valued at approximately $20.8 million over two years. The government will supply some GPUs, and the service will exclusively use locally developed large language models (LLMs), signaling a push for digital sovereignty.

"universal basic AI chatbot service for all citizens"

The Register detailed the chatbot's planned capabilities, including personalized information retrieval and availability across web, mobile app, and potentially public kiosks. By relying on homegrown LLMs, Seoul hopes to reduce dependence on foreign AI providers and bolster its domestic tech ecosystem.

South Korea's move mirrors a broader global trend of governments exploring public AI utilities, but the scale here is notable: a free, nationwide service for all residents. The tender's two-year timeline and $20.8 million budget suggest a rapid deployment phase, with an official launch expected in 2027. If successful, the program could serve as a model for other nations weighing universal AI access.