South Korea Aims to Secure 18,000 GPUs by 2026 to Boost National AI Computing Capabilities

South Korea's Ambitious GPU Acquisition Plan

South Korea has unveiled an ambitious plan to secure 18,000 high-performance graphics processing units (GPUs) by the first half of 2026, signaling a significant push to enhance its artificial intelligence (AI) computing capabilities 1

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. This initiative is part of the country's strategy to position itself as a global leader in AI technology and infrastructure.

Immediate Goals and Long-term Vision

The government's immediate focus is on acquiring 10,000 GPUs within 2023 to kickstart the launch of a new national AI computing center, slated for completion in 2027 2

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. Additionally, plans are in place to secure another 8,000 GPUs by June 2024 for the country's sixth supercomputer 2

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. This aggressive timeline underscores South Korea's commitment to rapidly building up its AI infrastructure.

Public-Private Cooperation and Funding

To realize this ambitious project, the South Korean government is leveraging public-private cooperation. The Korea Development Bank (KDB) will extend low-rate policy loans worth up to 2.5 trillion won ($1.7 billion) to private companies participating in the construction of the state AI center 2

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. This approach aims to foster collaboration between the government and the private sector in developing AI capabilities.

Global AI Race and Competitive Landscape

South Korea's acting President Choi Sang-mok emphasized the shifting nature of AI competition, stating, "As competition for dominance in the AI industry intensifies, the competitive landscape is shifting from battles between companies to a full-scale rivalry between national innovation ecosystems" 1

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. This perspective highlights the growing importance of national AI strategies in the global technological landscape.

International Context and GPU Market Dynamics

The announcement comes in the wake of new U.S. regulations aimed at controlling the export of advanced AI chips and technology 1

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. South Korea, along with about 18 other countries, is essentially exempt from these restrictions, potentially giving it an advantage in accessing cutting-edge GPU technology 1

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Currently, U.S. chip designer Nvidia dominates the global GPU market with an 80% share, far ahead of competitors like Intel and AMD 1

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. However, the AI chip landscape is evolving, with companies like OpenAI exploring in-house chip development and Chinese startups like DeepSeek working on computationally efficient AI models 1

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Domestic Semiconductor Production Goals

As part of its long-term strategy, the South Korean government aims to increase the ratio of domestically produced semiconductors used in the upcoming AI center to 50% by 2030 2

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. This goal aligns with broader efforts to strengthen the country's position in the global semiconductor industry and reduce dependence on foreign technology.

Implications for South Korea's AI Ecosystem

The acquisition of these GPUs is expected to provide timely support to local businesses and researchers in the AI field 2

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. By establishing a robust AI computing infrastructure, South Korea aims to foster innovation, attract talent, and compete effectively in the rapidly evolving global AI landscape.