South Korea to Offer Free AI Access by 2026

South Korea is set to launch the “AI for All” program, providing citizens with free and unlimited access to homegrown AI tools by the end of 2026. The initiative, announced by South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT, aims to prevent economic and social inequality by making advanced AI accessible without the usual costs.

Three consortia led by SK Telecom, KT, and Kakao have been selected to develop the services, with plans presented in Seoul on September 4. Developers are required to use domestic AI models for at least 50% of their systems, promoting local industry over foreign technology.

The government will also offer financial and hardware support, including GPUs. Beyond a chatbot, the program will include AI services to assist citizens in finding government benefits and completing applications.

A broader “AI government” strategy is in development, with AI agents expected to perform tasks for citizens starting in 2027. The rollout will begin with testing in September, aiming to position South Korea as a global AI leader.