South Korea's Big Tech Teams Up with Nvidia for AI Boom

South Korea is making a significant stride in the world of artificial intelligence. Nvidia, a global leader in AI technology, is collaborating with some of South Korea's most prominent tech companies, including Hyundai, Samsung, SK Group, and Naver. The objective? To elevate South Korea's AI capabilities and infrastructure.

A High-Level Visit and Ambitious Plans

Nvidia's CEO, Jensen Huang, visited South Korea after a 15-year hiatus to announce these new initiatives. The South Korean government is also deeply involved, aiming to bolster the country's AI infrastructure and physical AI capabilities. This collaboration is part of a broader trend where AI is being integrated into various industries.

Powering AI with Cutting-Edge GPUs

South Korea will receive over 260,000 of Nvidia's latest GPUs. These powerful processors are essential to meet the growing demand for AI. Approximately 50,000 of these GPUs will be dedicated to public initiatives, such as developing AI foundation models and establishing a national AI data center. The remaining GPUs will be allocated to companies like Samsung, SK Group, Hyundai, and Naver, driving innovation in manufacturing and industry-specific AI models.

Samsung and Nvidia: A Quarter-Century Partnership

Samsung and Nvidia have been partners for over 25 years. Now, they are collaborating on HBM4, a next-generation memory designed for future AI applications. Samsung is also constructing an AI Megafactory with Nvidia. This factory will integrate AI into every stage of manufacturing, from semiconductors to mobile devices and robotics, creating an intelligent network that can analyze, predict, and optimize production in real time.

Advancing AI-RAN Technology

Nvidia is also working with Samsung and three Korean telecom operators to develop AI-RAN. This technology merges mobile base stations with AI to enhance performance and reduce battery consumption. The goal is to create next-generation AI-RAN and a global testbed.

Hyundai and Nvidia: Driving Physical AI

Hyundai and Nvidia are joining forces to build AI infrastructure and advance technologies in physical AI. They will focus on autonomous mobility, smart factories, and robotics. Hyundai will utilize 50,000 NVIDIA Blackwell GPUs for integrated AI model training, validation, and deployment. Additionally, they will establish AI research centers in South Korea to strengthen the country's physical AI industry.

SK Group's Enterprise-Led Manufacturing AI Cloud

SK Group, the parent company of SK Hynix, is partnering with Nvidia to build Asia's first enterprise-led manufacturing AI cloud. This cloud will leverage Nvidia's simulation and digital twin platforms, making it accessible to the government, public institutions, and domestic startups.

Naver Cloud's Physical AI Platform

Naver Cloud, the cloud arm of Korean search engine Naver, is collaborating with NVIDIA to develop a next-generation Physical AI platform. This platform will bridge the physical and digital worlds. Naver Cloud aims to deploy AI infrastructure across key industries, including semiconductors, shipbuilding, energy, and biotechnology, accelerating the adoption of AI solutions optimized for real-world industrial environments.

A Broader Trend: The Fusion of AI and Hardware

These partnerships underscore a broader trend: the integration of AI and hardware across industries. Global tech leaders are joining forces to shape the next generation of intelligent systems. This is not just about technology; it's about transforming how industries operate and how we live our lives.