SK Telecom, Kakao, and KT Selected as Operators for Nationwide Free "AI for Everyone" Service
Official Launch Scheduled for December Following Beta Service in September
SK Telecom, Kakao, and KT have been selected as the three operators for the "AI for Everyone" project, which aims to provide free artificial intelligence (AI) services to all citizens.
On August 28, the Ministry of Science and ICT announced that, after conducting both document and presentation evaluations for six applicants (consortiums) in the "AI for Everyone" project, the SK Telecom Consortium, Kakao Consortium, and KT Consortium had been chosen as the operating organizations.
On August 18, the application process for the “AI for Everyone” operators closed, with SK Telecom, KT, Kakao, ESTsoft, MKD, and Zenon among the six companies applying. Of these, four—SK Telecom, KT, Kakao, and ESTsoft—formed consortiums for the project, while MKD and Zenon did not.
The evaluation process consisted of a document review and a presentation review. The document review assessed the competitiveness of the AI models and services, as well as the technical soundness, such as plans for using graphic processing units (GPU) and managing infrastructure. The presentation review, which included prototype video demonstrations, conducted a comprehensive assessment of service convenience and user acquisition strategies, plans for ensuring service quality and safety, and strategies for contributing to the AI ecosystem.
This year, the government will provide 512 NVIDIA GPU B200 units to each of the three selected operators. Starting in 2027, government funding will cover the costs required for providing services to all citizens.
Hot Picks Today
"I Went for the Cheap Coffee, but Now I Feel Uneasy"... Major Coffee Franchises Cited for Violations One After Another
- In Korea, Studying Medicine Is in High Demand, but in China, It's Shunned: "Why Become a Doctor When You Can’t Make Money?"
- "Surprisingly Real, Perfect Like AI" -- Global Media Praise Korean Fencer's Beauty
- "50 Million Won for Weekly Encounters"... Man in His 60s Sentenced for Deceiving Woman in Her 20s with Forged 1.4 Billion Won Account
- "I've Already Booked My Trip to Japan, But This Is Serious"...Highest Number of Measles Cases in Japan in a Decade Spurs Emergency Alert
The Ministry of Science and ICT plans to sign agreements with the three operators in September and, following a beta service launch that same month, officially release the “AI for Everyone” service by the end of this year.
© The Asia Business Daily. All rights reserved. Unauthorized AI training and use prohibited.
