South Korea aims to provide all its citizens with free, unlimited access to a domestic AI chatbot.

      A government-supported initiative could transform generative AI into a public service rather than just another monthly subscription.

      South Korea aims to provide every citizen with free, limitless access to an AI chatbot, positioning the technology more as a public utility than a premium service requiring a subscription.

      On July 13, the Ministry of Science and ICT announced the AI for Everyone initiative. Private companies will design the platform using locally developed models, and a dedicated AI agent will assist users in accessing government services. This function is more practical than merely generating emails or resolving disagreements that individuals are not inclined to research.

      What features will the free chatbot include?

      The initiative encompasses a general-purpose chatbot available to all South Koreans at no cost. A public-service agent will also pinpoint relevant government programs and assist users with their applications.

      Two or three private operators will be selected to create the services, with a beta version anticipated by the end of September and an official launch before 2026 concludes. The government will provide up to 512 Nvidia B200 GPUs, but the chosen companies must contribute their own funding as well.

      Why is it important for the AI to be locally developed?

      At least half of each service must be based on South Korean foundation models that comply with the ministry’s criteria. Developers who utilize their own models must obtain over 30% of the system from other domestic AI firms. While foreign options can address specific gaps, the government will not provide subsidies for them.

      These regulations aim to keep more public funding within South Korea's tech sector and lessen dependency on international platforms. A national service is less reliable if a foreign supplier can unexpectedly impose stricter limitations or sever access.

      Is it feasible for free AI to remain free?

      Government backing is projected to continue until the end of 2030. The extent of support from 2027 onwards will depend on yearly assessments and budget deliberations, so the long-term sustainability of free access remains uncertain. Proposals are due by August 11.

      South Korea is transitioning from mere research funding and limited trials to providing AI accessibility for the entire population. The more pressing question is whether its domestic models will be sufficiently effective to attract users from established commercial platforms. The upcoming beta in September is expected to provide initial insights.

      In other news, the issue of children forming emotional bonds with chatbots has become a concern in China, leading to stricter regulations aimed at curtailing such relationships due to worries about the country's declining birthrate.

      Furthermore, Russian hackers continue to infiltrate critical networks by exploiting neglected routers, as a joint cybersecurity advisory warns of state-backed attacks targeting vulnerable networking infrastructure, particularly in the energy, healthcare, and governmental sectors.

      Lastly, the recently launched Canva Code 2.0 is making coding more approachable for everyone, moving away from the traditional complexity associated with software development to a more user-friendly vibe coding approach, enabling individuals to create applications and websites using simple prompts.