Models · Funding and deals · Nvidia
South Korea is launching a $3.5 billion program for its own frontier AI model
South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT plans a 4.7 trillion won (about $3.5 billion) program to build a frontier AI model with world-leading performance. Once parliament approves the 2027 budget in December, a lead developer will be picked through an open tender, possibly by February, and development will start in March 2027. The state will invest equity alongside private money and pool chips, data and talent into the project. Korean media report that about 3.9 trillion won is earmarked for 10,000 Nvidia GPUs. The effort runs separately from the sovereign foundation model program, which picks two final teams in February.
Sources
- Reuters, “South Korea plans to develop $3.5 billion frontier AI model starting next year”, (thestar.com.my)
- The Korea Times, “Korea to launch $3.5 bil. frontier AI project next year”, (koreatimes.co.kr)
- Korea JoongAng Daily, “Korea splits AI push into two tracks amid confusion over sovereign model project”, (koreajoongangdaily.com)
- Yonhap (연합뉴스), “[독파모 재편] ① “중단 아니다”…4.7조 투입해 ‘프론티어 AI’로 진화”, (yna.co.kr)
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This story was posted on Instagram by @jarrus.tech on Oct. 8, 2026.
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This story in Turkish: Güney Kore, kendi sınır seviyesinde yapay zeka modeli için 3,5 milyar dolarlık program başlatıyor
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