Korea's Science Ministry and AMD Launch AI Chip Cooperation

The South Korean government, through its Ministry of Science and ICT, is moving forward with tangible plans for AI chip cooperation with AMD. Key initiatives involve building computing infrastructure and establishing an AI research center within Korea. A specific technical approach outlined is the development of "heterogeneous AI computing infrastructure," which aims to link AMD's established central processing units and graphics processing units with neural processing units developed domestically.

This strategy suggests an intent to combine the strengths of different chip architectures. AMD's CPUs and GPUs offer robust general-purpose and parallel processing capabilities, foundational for many AI workloads. The inclusion of domestically produced NPUs indicates a focus on integrating specialized local hardware, potentially for more efficient acceleration of specific AI tasks. This blend could allow for a comprehensive and optimized approach to AI processing within the planned infrastructure.

AMD's decision to hold its "Advancing AI World Tour Seoul 2026" event in Korea for the first time, attracting approximately 1,300 registrants and participation from Korean companies like LG Electronics, Moreh, and MangoBoost, underscores the company's view of Korea as a significant AI partner. Vice Minister Ryu Je-myung stated that this cooperation aims to foster the growth of Korean AI chip companies and enhance the overall competitiveness of the nation's AI ecosystem.