New AI projects set to reshape South Korea’s public services

South Korea plans to introduce an AI platform for agricultural products in 2026 as part of a broader effort to embed AI in public services. The system will compare prices in real time and assess supply conditions to guide consumers and farmers toward efficient purchasing decisions.

Officials expect the approach to improve transparency in a sector that often reacts strongly to demand shifts.

An initiative that sits within a package of ten AI-led projects confirmed by a new government consultation group of science and technology officials.

The agriculture platform is among four large programmes that will receive substantial public funding over two years, with pilot work beginning in the second half of 2025.

Other measures include a safety information tool for regulated products, an advisory service for tax filing periods and an AI guide designed to support heritage tourism.

Authorities are also examining ways to apply AI to wider public safety tasks such as transport management and online crime detection. They stress that AI will support rather than replace officers, especially in situations requiring complex judgment.

The government positions these efforts as part of a shift toward data-driven governance that could influence service delivery across many sectors.

South Korea is linking these domestic initiatives to international partnerships. A task force will expand cooperation with the United Arab Emirates after several agreements were signed during the recent summit between the two countries.

South Korea will also contribute to the UAE’s Stargate project, which aims to build a large-scale AI data centre in Abu Dhabi.

Officials see the combined domestic and international strategy as an important step in shaping AI based public administration.

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