South Korea plans to launch a free artificial intelligence chatbot service powered by domestic technology by the end of this year, according to a government announcement. The initiative aims to reduce reliance on foreign platforms and encourage the adoption of homegrown AI solutions.
Nearly half of South Korea's population of 51 million used generative AI applications in February, with the vast majority—nearly 23 million—using ChatGPT, developed by US firm OpenAI. As the technology has spread, countries have become increasingly concerned with so-called "AI sovereignty"—developing domestic models serving their own security, privacy, and business interests.
A spokesperson for South Korea's science ministry told AFP that a government initiative aims to roll out a general-purpose AI chatbot as well as an AI agent capable of more complex tasks by the end of the year. "To persuade users to move away from foreign AI services they already pay for, we need to provide services that are even better," Science Minister Bae Kyung-hoon told reporters.
The government's first priority under its "AI for All" scheme is to integrate public AI agent services that would provide functions unavailable on existing foreign platforms. The plan is also designed to overcome the digital divide by providing AI service for free, compared with many existing models which require monthly subscription payments.
From 2027, Seoul plans to expand the system into personalized AI agents capable of assisting users with tasks such as asset management, learning support, and retirement planning. "Providing free domestic AI services encourages users to adopt Korean platforms, allowing demand and data to accumulate and helping the domestic AI market grow on its own," Kim Yong-beom, senior presidential secretary for policy, said in a Facebook post.
The initiative comes as South Korea's AI Basic Act took effect on Tuesday, establishing a national legal framework for the industry. New rules require labeling of generative AI content, introduce a management framework for tools that may affect people's physical safety or fundamental rights, and expand government support for the sector.
