[DigitalToday, reporter Jin-ho Lee] Baeh Gyeong-hoon (배경훈), deputy prime minister and minister of science and ICT, stressed that the “Everyone’s AI” project must create differentiated services for it to succeed. He outlined a plan to combine domestic AI models, neural processing units (NPUs), and agent and data technologies to build a flagship AI service that people can feel in everyday life.

Baeh said at a launch meeting for the “Everyone’s AI” project held at the Korea Press Center in Seoul on Sept. 4, “If we cannot create a clear point of differentiation from foreign AI services, Everyone’s AI is bound to fail.” He said it must secure safety and reliability and be able to connect to the daily lives of all citizens.

“Everyone’s AI” is a public-facing AI service project jointly 추진 by the government and the private sector so that anyone can easily use AI services. Three consortia led by SK Telecom, Kakao and KT were selected as the final operators. Each consortium is proceeding with development, aiming to launch the service within this year after a beta service.

Baeh particularly stressed that a service’s first impression is important. He said, “If, when it is first launched, there is not much difference compared with existing services, the public will be disappointed.” He asked participants to unite so they can roll out a service that will surprise citizens when the full service is launched.

The government plans to place weight on cooperation among the three consortia. It plans to encourage joint work so that the identity of Everyone’s AI is established, rather than stopping at each creating separate services.

Baeh said, “Everyone’s AI will not encourage competition among the consortia.” He said close cooperation is needed so the project can move forward with a single identity through collaboration and that joint work is required to build a single brand.

Everyone’s AI will also be used as a testing ground to raise the capabilities of the domestic AI ecosystem. It will apply to the service Korea’s homegrown AI foundation model that the government has pursued, as well as domestic NPUs, agentic AI optimisation technologies and data processing technologies.

Baeh said, “An important goal is to create a stage where domestic NPUs can actually be used, and to incorporate related agentic optimisation technologies, various data processing technologies and underlying technologies into Everyone’s AI to jump up South Korea’s basic AI capabilities.”

He added, “It is important to build basic fitness so anyone can use AI and live in the AI era.” He said it would be a project built together for South Korea’s future.