South Korea to provide AI access to all citizens
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President Lee Jae Myung of South Korea plans to give all 51 million residents of the country free, unlimited access to AI chatbots and public service agents before the end of 2026.
This initiative, called “AI for All,” aims to establish South Korea as a leading AI power alongside the United States and China. Lee envisions a country that dominates the AI supply chain, particularly in memory chips, adopts AI rapidly, and shares its benefits widely.
South Korea has already passed the AI Basic Act, making it the first nation with a comprehensive AI law fully in effect. The country established an AI Safety Institute to oversee high-performance systems and manage risks in critical sectors like healthcare and energy. This legislation occurred before similar efforts in the European Union and the United States.
Beyond simply providing access, South Korea recognizes that the true benefit of AI depends on how it affects people’s jobs and the decisions made about them. The government is investing heavily in AI infrastructure and safety technology, with plans to increase AI spending by 84 percent to $6.3 billion in 2027.
South Korea hopes to collaborate with the United States to expand AI access and share benefits, and is considering establishing a research hub to further develop AI expertise and address potential risks.
