The public initiative "AI for Everyone" project will be launched this year. (iClickArt) Unauthorized reproduction and redistribution of this image is prohibited under copyright law.

By Koh Hyunjeong

The AI for Everyone Project, a homegrown artificial intelligence (AI) service, will allow anyone in the country to use AI free without limits on usage.

The Ministry of Science and ICT on July 13 announced its planned launch of a general-purpose AI chatbot service within this year through the use of homegrown AI models available to the public without additional costs or usage limits.

To this end, an open call for proposals will pick participating companies. Following the launch of beta service in late September, the ministry will launch a general-purpose AI chatbot and an "AI agent" to assist with searches for and application of public services by year's end.

This project aims to reduce reliance on AI services abroad and bridge the digital divide among the public. Foreign AI services have long faced criticism for strict usage limits on free versions and their vulnerability to unilateral shifts in policy by global tech giants such as hikes in subscription fees or termination of service.

hjkoh@korea.kr