South Korea plans free AI access for citizens through new government programme

South Korea is preparing to make advanced artificial intelligence tools available to citizens at no cost through a new government initiative called ‘AI for All’. The programme is intended to make AI easier to access while encouraging wider use of services developed by South Korean companies.

Rather than requiring monthly subscriptions to premium AI platforms, the government plans to fund access to selected AI services. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to make artificial intelligence a practical tool for everyday activities and reduce the country’s reliance on overseas-developed technology.

AI could become a tool for everyday government services

The ‘AI for All’ programme is expected to provide more than a conventional chatbot that answers questions. AI services supported by the initiative could connect with public services, allowing citizens to complete or receive help with tasks such as booking medical appointments, understanding tax requirements, and searching for housing.

The programme could also make government services easier to navigate for people who may find traditional websites and administrative systems difficult to use. Instead of searching through multiple government portals or trying to understand complicated forms, citizens could use an AI assistant to find relevant information and receive guidance on the next steps.

Small businesses are also expected to benefit from the initiative. Free AI services could help business owners prepare tax filings and determine whether they qualify for government support programmes. The technology could therefore be used for administrative work as well as general information and productivity tasks.

Parents and students could also use the services for educational purposes. The programme is expected to provide unlimited AI access for education, while parents could receive recommendations for learning materials and other educational content for their children. This could give more people access to AI-powered learning tools without requiring a separate paid subscription.

The scale of the plan reflects the Korean government’s view that artificial intelligence should become widely available rather than remaining a service primarily used by people willing to pay for premium products. The initiative could also give domestic AI companies a much larger audience with which to develop and improve their services.

Government seeks greater independence from US and Chinese AI

The programme is also closely linked to South Korea’s efforts to strengthen its AI independence. The government wants domestic AI companies to compete more effectively with major services developed in the United States and China, while encouraging citizens and organisations to use locally developed models.

South Korean officials are expected to support selected AI providers with significant computing resources. According to the reported plans, participating companies could receive up to 512 Nvidia B200 AI chips, along with help covering some of the costs of operating their services. The government has not disclosed the programme’s overall cost.

The move comes as AI use continues to grow rapidly in South Korea. More than 20 million people in the country are already using free generative AI services, while around one in four people reportedly pays for an AI service. The government’s plan would therefore build on an existing user base rather than introducing artificial intelligence to a market with little prior exposure to the technology.

South Korea has also substantially increased its investment in artificial intelligence. The country’s AI budget for 2026 has reportedly been tripled to about US$7.2 billion. The increase indicates that the government increasingly sees AI as a strategic part of the country’s digital infrastructure and economic development.

The focus on domestic services could also help South Korean companies gain valuable experience at scale. Giving local providers access to millions of users could create opportunities to improve their models, develop new applications and compete more effectively in international markets.

South Korea takes a different approach to free premium AI

The nationwide nature of the initiative distinguishes South Korea’s approach from several programmes in the United States. In the US, free access to premium AI services has generally targeted particular groups rather than being offered to the entire population.

For example, technology companies have introduced free AI subscriptions or services for students as part of education-focused initiatives. Such programmes can provide substantial benefits to eligible users, but access is still restricted by factors such as age, education, or institutional affiliation.

South Korea’s ‘AI for All’ strategy instead seeks to make AI access available across society. Its proposed uses range from government administration and taxation to education, healthcare appointments and housing searches. The broader goal is to make AI part of ordinary interactions with public and private services.

The initiative could also shape how citizens interact with government in the future. If AI systems can reliably handle routine questions and guide people through administrative processes, they could reduce the time required to access services. However, the programme’s success will depend on factors including accuracy, privacy, security, and the ability of government systems to integrate effectively with AI platforms.

The government will also need to balance its goal of supporting domestic AI companies with the need to provide reliable services to citizens. Making AI widely available could accelerate adoption, but errors or weaknesses in AI systems could affect many more people.

South Korea’s investment nevertheless signals a broader shift in how governments are approaching artificial intelligence. Rather than treating AI solely as a commercial product, the country is exploring whether it can become a publicly supported digital service available to people regardless of whether they can afford a premium subscription.