South Korea plans to launch a free artificial intelligence chatbot service developed by domestic technology this year, the Seoul government said on July 21, in order to reduce dependence on foreign platforms, AFP reported.
According to market research firm Wiseapp-Retail, about half of South Korea's 51 million people used generative AI applications in February. Most of them, equivalent to nearly 23 million people, use ChatGPT developed by the US company OpenAI.
As this technology spreads, countries are increasingly interested in the so-called "AI sovereignty", that is, developing domestic models serving their own security interests, privacy and business. A spokesman for the Korean Ministry of Science told AFP that the government's initiative to deploy a multi-functional AI chatbot with an AI agent capable of performing more complex tasks by the end of this year.
To convince users to leave the foreign AI services they have paid for, we need to provide even better services," Science Minister Bae Kyung-hoon told reporters. "We want South Korea to quickly enter the era of AI agents and compete in that field," he said at a press conference.
The top priority of the government within the framework of the "AI for All" program is to integrate public AI agent services, providing functions that are not available on existing foreign platforms. This plan is also designed to overcome the digital gap by providing free AI services, compared to many existing models that require monthly subscription fees.
From 2027, Seoul plans to expand the system into personalized AI agents, capable of supporting users in tasks such as asset management, learning support and retirement planning.
Providing free domestic AI services will encourage users to switch to Korean platforms, allowing needs and data to accumulate, while helping the domestic AI market develop on its own," Mr. Kim Yong-beom, Senior Assistant to the President in charge of policy, wrote in a Facebook post. According to Mr. Kim, a public AI agent can also help South Koreans identify and register for appropriate government services.
This initiative was launched in the context of the Korea AI Basic Law officially taking effect, establishing a national legal framework for this industry.
The new regulations require labeling for content generated by AI, providing a management framework for tools that may affect physical safety or basic human rights, and expanding government support for this field. The Act designates 10 sensitive areas, including nuclear power, criminal investigation, loan appraisal, education and healthcare, to be subject to higher requirements for AI transparency and safety.
