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South Korea Selects Tech Firms for Government AI Service Project Using Local Models
Major companies including Kakao and LG Uplus have declared participation in the science ministry's AI for all initiative. The project will offer a free public chatbot and AI agent using local models and Nvidia hardware.
Jul 14, 1:55 AM·1m read1 source
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Major South Korean technology companies and startups have declared or are reviewing participation in a government-backed project to deliver free artificial intelligence services to the public, Yonhap reported on July 14. The science ministry's AI for all project opened applications early this week and will include a general-purpose AI chatbot available free of charge along with a public-service AI agent.
The effort forms part of broader plans to build an AI basic society where access does not depend on income, age or digital literacy.
The government will supply up to 512 Nvidia B200 graphics processing units to two or three selected companies. Those firms are expected to launch services within 2026. From 2027 the ministry will provide budget support for nationwide operation of the models.
Developers must use South Korean AI models meeting ministry foundation-model standards for at least 50 percent of each system. Companies that already possess their own foundation models must incorporate models from other local developers for more than 30 percent of the system. Applications remain open until August 11.
Kakao Corp. and LG Uplus Corp. have declared bids. , KT Corp. and SK Telecom Co. are positively considering participation. ESTsoft Corp. has also declared its group's bid, while the AI subsidiary of game developer NC has expressed intent to review involvement.
