South Korea has the potential to become a global leader in physical artificial intelligence (AI), according to Nvidia’s CEO Jensen Huang. Speaking at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit in Gyeongju, Huang emphasized the country’s competitive edge in AI, especially as the next frontier of AI technology unfolds.
Huang, visiting Korea for the first time in 15 years, referred to AI as having entered a “virtuous cycle.” He explained that AI has become deeply embedded in everyday life, driving greater usage, higher profits for companies, and further advancements in the technology. He viewed this as a significant opportunity for South Korea.
According to Huang, South Korea is uniquely positioned to lead in the AI sector. The country boasts three critical elements needed for AI success: advanced software development, deep scientific and technical expertise, and cutting-edge manufacturing capabilities. This combination could allow South Korea to capitalize on the growing field of robotics, which Huang considers the next evolution of physical AI.
Huang, a pioneer behind Nvidia’s role in the rise of generative AI technologies like ChatGPT, has consistently highlighted physical AI as the industry’s next revolution. He explained that physical AI integrates artificial intelligence into hardware like robots, machines, and self-driving cars, offering the potential to transform everyday life by enabling collaboration between humans and robots.
Nvidia’s vision includes South Korea as a vital partner. Huang revealed Nvidia’s plans to expand its collaboration with Korean firms. The company announced plans to install up to 260,000 graphic processing units (GPUs) in South Korea, in partnership with the government and leading companies like Samsung Electronics, SK Group, Hyundai Motor Group, and Naver Cloud. This initiative is aimed at building large-scale AI factories throughout the country.
The deployment of GPUs will increase South Korea’s AI computing capacity from 65,000 to over 300,000 units, positioning the country as a major AI hub outside the United States. Huang stressed the importance of working with South Korea to develop AI factories, digital twins, and other AI-powered technologies together.
In a separate statement, Huang stated that the new partnership would establish South Korea as an AI hub for the entire region, attracting international startups and businesses. He also commended Samsung and SK hynix for their memory technology innovations, particularly in high bandwidth memory (HBM), and reaffirmed Nvidia’s long-term collaboration with both companies.
Huang expressed his strong confidence in the future of memory technology, noting that Samsung and SK hynix are both integral to Nvidia’s chip production efforts. While Samsung focuses on a diverse range of technologies, SK hynix specializes in memory, but both companies, Huang said, are key to Nvidia’s long-term AI goals.
The APEC CEO Summit, which concluded after three days in Gyeongju, served as an official platform for business leaders to discuss the future of global trade and innovation.
