Generative AI is permeating every corner of daily life. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Dec. 19 (Korea Bizwire) — Nearly three-quarters of South Korean consumers have tried at least one artificial intelligence service, underscoring how rapidly AI tools are becoming part of everyday life, according to a new survey released on Thursday.
The study, conducted by Consumer Insight, a telecommunications research firm, found that 74 percent of mobile phone users in South Korea had used an AI service at least once. On average, respondents reported experience with 2.2 different AI services, suggesting that many users are experimenting with multiple platforms rather than relying on a single tool.
Usage remains frequent: 26 percent of users said they access AI services three to four times a week, while nearly half reported using them either once or twice a week or almost daily.
OpenAI’s ChatGPT dominated the market, with 54 percent of respondents saying they had used the service, up seven percentage points from the first half of the year. Google’s Gemini ranked second at 30 percent, posting a sharp 16-point increase over the same period and emerging as the fastest-rising competitor.
Among domestic services, SK Telecom’s A.Dot and Wrtn placed third and fourth, with usage rates of 17 percent and 13 percent, respectively, followed by Naver’s Clova Note at 10 percent. Other platforms, including Perplexity, Microsoft’s Copilot and Notion AI, trailed with single-digit shares.
Awareness levels mirrored usage trends. ChatGPT remained the most widely recognized AI service at 66 percent, while Gemini surged to second place with 49 percent. In terms of user satisfaction, ChatGPT again led with a 68 percent approval rate, followed by Gemini, Exiia and Perplexity, each at 59 percent.
The findings are based on a survey of 3,148 mobile phone users aged 14 and older, conducted between October and November as part of Consumer Insight’s biannual telecommunications planning study.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
