SK Telecom, KT and a Kakao consortium have been selected as operators for “AI for Everyone”, a project to build an AI service for the entire population. Each consortium will launch a public-facing AI service within this year, leveraging the strengths of its lead organisation.

The Ministry of Science and ICT said on Thursday it selected the SKT, Kakao and KT consortiums as implementing organisations after conducting written and presentation evaluations of 6 bidders that participated in the call for proposals for the “AI for Everyone” project.

In the written evaluation, the ministry reviewed technical suitability, including the competitiveness of AI models and services, as well as plans for using graphics processing units (GPUs) and operating infrastructure. In the presentation evaluation, which included a prototype video demonstration, it comprehensively assessed service convenience and user acquisition strategies, plans to ensure service quality and safety, and ways to contribute to the AI ecosystem.

SKT targets digitally vulnerable groups with “action-oriented AI” usable by phone and text

The SKT consortium aims to build an action-oriented AI service that processes everything from requests to planning, execution and checking results, with the goal of “starting with a single question and finishing routine tasks on your behalf.”

It will allow the service to be used not only via apps and the web but also through phone calls and text messages, improving accessibility for digitally vulnerable groups. It will provide conversation and search functions tailored to South Korea’s administrative and local living environment. It will also implement an AI agent function that finds a store or public office contact number and then connects through call delegation.

A total of 19 organisations participate in the SKT consortium, including Goodoc, Nota, Liner, Selectstar, Shinhan Card, SK Broadband, T map Mobility and Hana Card. It will use AI models including A.X K2, Solar Open 2, Motif 3 and K-EXAONE 2.0.

KT to bundle public and everyday services

The KT consortium aims to develop a service that supports the execution and management of public and specialised services within a single conversation, with the goal of “bringing public and everyday services together in one conversation.”

It will place AI entry points across partner channels including the user pathways for search, news and content on the Daum portal and app, as well as Danawa, Musinsa and Zigbang. It will also link KT’s telecom services and media channels such as IPTV with AI for Everyone.

A total of 17 organisations participate in the KT consortium, including Daum, Upstage, NC AI, Motif Technologies, Rebellions, Saltlux, Musinsa, Zigbang and EBS. It will use AI models including Mi:dm K Pro 2.5, Solar Pro 4 and Motif 3.

Kakao to build an AI agent distribution ecosystem

The Kakao consortium put forward “AI that completes everything from reservations and applications to payments in the nation’s messenger.” Using KakaoTalk, which people use daily, as the entry point, it will provide an integrated offering of a general-purpose chatbot and AI agents.

It will launch a light version of a general-purpose phone AI service with LG Uplus within this year, then expand the service in phases. It will also link PlayMCP with an AI agent marketplace to build an environment in which external AI companies can directly create, test and distribute specialised agents. It also plans to provide life-stage services such as senior care and tax services.

The Kakao consortium includes LG AI Research, LG CNS, LG Uplus, LG Electronics, Seoul National University Hospital, Shinhan Bank, Kakao Enterprise and FuriosaAI. Models used include Kanana, EXAONE and K-EXAONE 2.0.

The ministry will sign agreements with the 3 operators in September, then launch AI for Everyone formally within this year after a beta service. It will support 512 B200 GPUs this year. From 2027, it plans to support, through the government budget, costs needed to provide the service to the entire population.

It will form a working-level consultative body with the selected operators and also hold talks with relevant ministries to link public data. The ministry said it will work with operators to improve service accessibility and pursue joint branding and promotion to foster AI for Everyone into a leading domestic AI service.