South Korea plans free AI chatbot service by 2026 to bridge tech gap

South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT announced plans to launch a free AI chatbot service for all citizens by 2026 through government bidding. Currently, about one-third of the population lacks access to AI, and most users rely on free versions of foreign AI services, creating a digital divide and technology dependency.

The service will require bidders to primarily use domestically developed AI models. The government will provide annual financial support equivalent to the computing power of 512 NVIDIA B200 GPUs. This initiative aims to improve AI accessibility and strengthen local AI industry independence.