Introduction
The South Korean government, in collaboration with various industrial leaders and NVIDIA, is embarking on a significant initiative to enhance the nation’s artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure. This ambitious project aims to deploy over 260,000 NVIDIA GPUs across various sectors, including automotive, manufacturing, and telecommunications, to drive innovation and create jobs in South Korea. The initiative was announced amidst the APEC Summit, highlighting Korea's commitment to becoming a global leader in AI technology.
Government and Industrial Collaboration
The Ministry of Science and ICT in South Korea is spearheading the deployment of more than 50,000 cutting-edge NVIDIA GPUs. These will be integrated into the National AI Computing Center and various cloud service providers such as NHN Cloud, Kakao Corp., and NAVER Cloud. This foundational infrastructure is expected to support a wide range of applications, from enterprise solutions to advanced manufacturing processes.
AI Factories and Technological Advancements
Major corporations in South Korea are also heavily investing in AI capabilities. Samsung Electronics is constructing an AI factory that will utilize over 50,000 GPUs to enhance its production processes in semiconductors and other digital technologies. Similarly, SK Group is developing an AI factory designed to host a comparable number of GPUs, focusing on semiconductor research and cloud infrastructure for digital twin and AI agent development. Hyundai Motor Group is collaborating with NVIDIA to establish an AI factory aimed at improving manufacturing and autonomous driving technologies.
Public-Private Partnerships and Research Initiatives
In addition to building AI factories, South Korean entities are forming partnerships to advance AI research. NAVER Cloud is expanding its infrastructure with about 60,000 GPUs to support enterprise-level AI applications. The collaboration includes developing foundation models for AI applications, utilizing local data to create sovereign language models. This initiative will involve several partners, including LG AI Research and SK Telecom, to accelerate the development of AI capabilities tailored to local needs.
Quantum Computing and Scientific Research
The Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI) is also engaging with NVIDIA to create a Center of Excellence aimed at fostering quantum computing research. This center will leverage Korea's advanced supercomputing capabilities to explore areas such as quantum error correction and hybrid application development. Additionally, KISTI plans to utilize NVIDIA’s open architecture to enhance its research capabilities and develop physics-informed AI models.
Support for Startups and Economic Development
To further stimulate economic growth, NVIDIA and its partners are establishing an alliance to support startups through the NVIDIA Inception program. This initiative will provide startups with access to advanced computing resources and expertise, facilitating their growth and innovation. The program, in conjunction with the Korean government’s N-Up AI startup incubation initiative, aims to nurture the next generation of technology companies in South Korea.
Conclusion
The collaboration between the South Korean government and major industrial players, alongside NVIDIA, signifies a pivotal moment in the nation’s technological landscape. By investing heavily in AI infrastructure and fostering public-private partnerships, South Korea is positioning itself as a formidable player in the global AI arena. This initiative not only aims to enhance domestic capabilities but also seeks to export intelligence as a new asset, potentially transforming various industries worldwide.