"Everyone's AI," Free for All Citizens, to Launch Officially in December... Participating Companies to Be Selected Next Month

Selection of 2–3 Participating Companies in September;
Over 50% Usage of Domestic AI Models Required
512 Government-Owned GPUs to Be Provided;
Budgetary Support Planned for Next Year
Beta Service Launch by End of September Following August Selection;
Official Release Scheduled for December

The "Everyone's AI" project, which provides free nationwide AI services using domestic artificial intelligence (AI) models, will officially launch its services in December of this year following the selection of participating companies next month.

Gong Jin-ho, Director of AI Policy Planning at the Ministry of Science and ICT, stated at the Everyone's AI project briefing held in Mapo-gu, Seoul, on the morning of July 21, "Our goal is to launch the first service of Everyone's AI in the second half of this year."

Gong Jinho, Director of AI Policy Planning at the Ministry of Science and ICT, is giving a presentation at the Everyone's AI Business Briefing held in Mapo-gu, Seoul on the morning of the 21st. Photo by Myeonghwan Lee

Everyone's AI is a project led by private companies with experience in developing nationwide services, designed to offer AI services reflecting public demand to the entire population free of charge. The government plans to select two to three private companies to participate in this project. Companies wishing to participate may do so individually or by forming a consortium with other companies or institutions.

Companies selected for the Everyone's AI project are required to use domestic AI models that meet proprietary foundation model standards for more than 50% of their total usage. Additionally, they must utilize domestic AI models from other companies for at least 30% of their implementation. If there is a necessity to use foreign AI models for service purposes, this will be permitted in a limited capacity; however, any portion relying on foreign models will be excluded from government support. Director Gong noted, "If foreign models are excessively used in the services, this will be reflected in the evaluation."

Based on these requirements, the Ministry of Science and ICT will provide a general-purpose AI chatbot service, available to the entire population without any cost or usage limitations. In addition, a public AI agent will be offered through Everyone's AI, which will notify citizens of public services in advance and allow them to apply. After 2027, the plan is to further advance the AI agent.

The government will provide support for the necessary infrastructure, such as graphics processing units (GPUs), required to execute the project. For this year, the government will make 512 NVIDIA 'B200' GPUs it owns available for use. Starting in 2027, the government budget will be used to cover the costs involved in providing nationwide services. However, companies must also develop their own business models, such as utilizing prompt data gathered from service users during operations.

Companies interested in participating must submit an application through the National IT Industry Promotion Agency (NIPA) project management system by 5:00 p.m. on August 11. Selected companies will receive support for five years, from the date of agreement signing until December 31, 2030.

After approximately one month of recruiting, the Ministry of Science and ICT will conduct document and presentation evaluations, after which service providers for Everyone's AI will be selected in August. Evaluation will include: review of participation eligibility, as well as written and presentation assessments, ultimately selecting two to three companies with the highest scores. The written assessment will comprehensively evaluate such items as ▲ AI model and service competitiveness ▲ efficiency in GPU utilization and infrastructure management ▲ and service development plans.

After finalizing agreements with the selected companies in September, the goal is to launch a beta service by the end of September and officially release Everyone's AI in December. Director Gong said, "Some have questioned whether the timeline is too tight, but after discussions with the companies, we concluded it is sufficiently feasible," adding, "Since the service will be developed on top of proprietary AI models that have already been established, we expect the participating companies will be able to prepare adequately."

The exact amount of future budgetary and infrastructure support, including additional GPUs, has not yet been determined. Director Gong stated, "We are still in discussions with financial authorities regarding next year’s project budget," noting that specific details will be provided once the government’s budget proposal is finalized.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT Baek Kyunghoon also outlined plans to boost AI service competitiveness through Everyone's AI during a press briefing held the previous day. Deputy Prime Minister Baek stated, "To prepare for the upcoming era of AI agents, we will rapidly optimize platform and token performance as well as enhance service competitiveness," adding, "We must consider how to build fundamental AI service competitiveness, and that is why we are launching 'Everyone's AI.'"

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.