Daejeon city offers free AI access for youth, creating 'AI universal welfare' model

Daejeon city is pioneering a new initiative, "Youth Space AI Transformation (AX)," offering young residents free access to over 80 AI models, including ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude, at 10 youth centers across the city until December. This program, launched this month, marks a unique approach to AI accessibility in South Korea.

While other local governments offer AI subscription fee support for young individuals, Daejeon's model focuses on providing access within communal youth spaces. A city official explained that previous subscription support models had limitations in fostering youth community development, hence the shift to establishing youth spaces as AI hubs. This makes AI access a form of universal welfare for Daejeon's youth.

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Subscription fee support had limitations in fostering youth community development. We aim to transform youth spaces into AI hubs.

The city is implementing an institutional API volume-based pricing system, significantly reducing costs compared to individual paid subscriptions. The total budget for the program is 10 million won, with an average monthly user cost of approximately 1,666 won per person. This represents a substantial saving of about 94% compared to the typical $20 monthly subscription fee.

Daejeon plans to analyze usage data to identify policy needs and incorporate them into future initiatives. All data collected will be anonymized or pseudonymized to protect personal information, and will be used solely for statistical and policy research purposes. The city aims to create a foundation where all young people in Daejeon can learn and utilize AI without financial burden, recognizing AI proficiency as a key factor in future opportunities.

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Whether one can use AI or not is now a factor that determines a young person's starting line. Daejeon city will create the foundation so that any young person in Daejeon can learn and utilize AI without cost.