Seoul: Three prominent South Korean firms, SK Telecom Co., KT Corp., and Kakao Corp., have unveiled their strategic plans for a government-led artificial intelligence (AI) project aimed at making AI services accessible to everyone. The announcements were made during a press event in central Seoul, attended by SK Telecom CEO Jeong Jai-hun, KT CEO Park Yun-yeong, and Kakao CEO Chung Shin-a.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the companies were selected by the science ministry last month to participate in the "AI for all" initiative. This project is part of a broader governmental strategy to enhance public access to AI technologies. The initiative mandates that developers utilize domestic AI models for at least half of their systems, with support in the form of government funding and graphics processing units (GPUs).
The three consortia are poised to launch their AI services by the end of the year. Kakao's consortium is working on a universal chatbot and an AI agent for public services, utilizing its Kanana AI model and LG AI Research's Exaone AI model. KT's team has developed a real-time search-based AI agent and a platform that connects approximately 10 specialized AI services, ranging from public services to education, finance, and shopping. Meanwhile, SK Telecom's consortium is focusing on an agentic AI service capable of performing various tasks, including identification, application, and purchases.
Science Minister Bae Kyung-hoon emphasized the project's significance, stating, "The ultimate goal of the 'AI for all project' is to have new, homegrown AI services naturally settle in people's everyday lives." He urged the companies to collaborate to launch their services within the year, aiming to enhance daily convenience and foster a burgeoning domestic AI market.