Summary:
1. South Korean government and major companies partner with Nvidia to supply over 260,000 accelerator chips for AI infrastructure development.
2. The deal was announced at the APEC Summit and involves Samsung Electronics, SK Group, Hyundai Motor Group, and Naver Cloud.
3. The partnership aims to make South Korea a global AI powerhouse by enhancing national AI capabilities and infrastructure.
Article:
The South Korean government, along with leading companies in the country, has joined forces with Nvidia in a groundbreaking deal to provide more than 260,000 accelerator chips. This collaboration is set to revolutionize the development of South Korea’s AI infrastructure, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s technological advancement.
The announcement of this monumental partnership was made during the APEC Summit held in South Korea, showcasing the strategic alignment between the government and key industry players. The Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) spearheaded the agreement, with the support of prominent entities such as Samsung Electronics, SK Group, Hyundai Motor Group, and Naver Cloud.
Local analysts have highlighted the substantial impact of this collaboration, noting that the volume of GPUs involved is five times the current number in South Korea. While specific financial details were not disclosed, estimations suggest that the deal could be valued at around 14.8 trillion Korean won (equivalent to approximately US$7.8 billion to $10.4 billion), based on the cost of Nvidia’s latest GPU, the Blackwell B200.
South Korean Deputy Minister and MSIT Minister Bae Kyung-hoon expressed his optimism about the partnership, emphasizing its role in positioning South Korea as a global leader in AI technology. He emphasized the transformative potential of AI in driving future industries, highlighting the country’s commitment to expanding its national AI infrastructure through collaborations with innovative partners like Nvidia.
Under the agreements forged with Nvidia, the MSIT is set to secure 50,000 units of the company’s latest GPU to advance the development of South Korea’s sovereign AI models. These GPUs will be deployed at strategic locations, including the National AI Computing Center and various cloud facilities operated by key industry players like Naver Cloud, NHN Cloud, and Kakao Corp.
The introduction of this cutting-edge infrastructure is expected to catalyze research and innovation within South Korea’s AI ecosystem, empowering research institutes, startups, and AI companies to leverage state-of-the-art technology to drive advancements in AI models and applications. This initiative aligns with Korea’s national strategy to fortify its AI capabilities and infrastructure, positioning the country at the forefront of the global AI landscape.
