South Korea is enlisting some of its largest corporations and most innovative startups to develop a national foundational AI model powered primarily by domestic technologies, CNBC reported. The initiative is part of a rare, large-scale effort to keep pace with AI advancements in the U.S. and China.
The program will leverage South Korea’s strengths across the tech spectrum from semiconductors to software, aiming to create a near self-reliant AI ecosystem and establish the country as a credible alternative to the two AI superpowers.
Analysts say the strategy stands out globally. “While sovereign AI is a growing trend, South Korea’s approach is distinct,” said Nick Patience, AI practice lead at The Futurum Group, in comments to CNBC. “The country is looking to pair its leadership in memory chip manufacturing with the creation of native AI capabilities.”
The Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) has named five consortia to spearhead model development. One group is led by SK Telecom, joined by gaming company Krafton and AI chip startup Rebellions while others are headed by major players such as LG and Naver.
“We’re at a critical point in our technological journey,” said Kim Taeyoon, head of the foundation model office at SK Telecom and leader of its consortium. “Nationally, Korea is committed to building the technical base needed to secure competitiveness. We have the talent and resources to create a strong AI stack.”
