SK Telecom to Build an AI Assistant for Everyone, Beta Launch Set for October

[Financial News] SK Telecom has been selected as the operator of the "Everyone's AI" project, which aims to help all citizens use artificial intelligence without cost burdens or usage restrictions.
On the 28th, industry sources said the Ministry of Science and ICT selected a consortium led by SK Telecom, Kakao Corp. and KT Corporation as the implementing body for the project.
The SK Telecom consortium plans to launch a public AI service in beta in October and roll it out officially within the year, centering on its proprietary AI foundation model, A.X K2, and using a range of domestic AI models.
In the public sector, the focus is on proactively informing citizens about benefits and information they need, even if they do not search for them themselves. To that end, SK Telecom plans to integrate Government24 and PASS to enable the issuance of 83 types of certificates, including resident registration copies. It is also preparing a healthcare-linked feature that will recommend personalized treatment information based on users' health records.
In everyday life, the company plans to advance the AI so it can handle tedious tasks on behalf of users, such as making phone calls and booking reservations. Because it will carry out real actions, the service will also incorporate trust safeguards that users can control, including identity verification and approval during execution, as well as minimal use of personal data.
The SK Telecom consortium's AI service aims to go beyond a simple chatbot that answers questions. It seeks to become an action-oriented AI assistant that first identifies the information people need and then carries out follow-up tasks on their behalf. Rather than stopping at search and answers, it is designed to understand users' context from conversations, suggest tailored information and connect that to the next action.
For example, if a young job seeker asks about recent openings, the AI will provide new job listings along with related youth policy programs. If the user saves a listing of interest, it will also track application deadlines and help with writing a self-introduction and preparing for interviews.
For small business owners, it can serve as a "store operations consultant." The service is expected to organize sales, expenses and tax information, while also finding government support programs the user may qualify for and providing application requirements and schedules.
A key feature of the SK Telecom consortium's AI service is that it will be available not only through a smartphone app, but also by phone and text message.
For the project, SK Telecom formed a consortium of 20 leading companies and institutions across fields including AI search, finance and payments, mobility, media, healthcare, education and caregiving, in addition to itself. It has also signed memorandums of understanding with 11 companies so far, bringing the total number of partners to 31 as it continues to expand the AI service ecosystem.
Kim Ji-hoon, head of SK Telecom's AI business division, said, "It is important to create an environment where anyone can use AI easily and safely so that gaps in AI use do not become a new social divide." He added, "By combining our experience operating public AI services since 2022 with the capabilities of the consortium, we will responsibly introduce AI services that people can truly feel are helpful."

[email protected] Jang Min-kwon Reporter