South Korea's government has initiated a tender to develop a universal basic AI chatbot accessible to all residents, aiming to ensure equitable access to AI services.The 'AI for everyone' plan involves private entities creating and operating AI systems under contracts expiring by 2031.Successful bidders will receive up to 256 Nvidia B200 GPUs and must match government funding.The initiative seeks to reduce reliance on overseas AI providers by mandating locally developed models, ensuring services reflect Korean culture.The tender also emphasizes creating an agentic system for citizen-government interactions.Tech giants like Kakao, Naver, SK Telecom, and LG are reportedly interested in participating.This move highlights South Korea's commitment to integrating AI into public services while fostering domestic technological innovation.

The project underscores the government's focus on equitable AI access, aiming to bridge the digital divide and enhance civic engagement through localized AI solutions.