Seoul’s government revealed a multi‑year program worth $3.5 billion to develop a next‑generation artificial‑intelligence system, aiming to stay competitive with leading AI powers worldwide.
Seoul announced a $3.5 billion multi‑year plan to build a frontier artificial‑intelligence model by 2027, aiming to keep South Korea competitive with the United States, China and Europe.
Program scope and funding
The government will allocate the budget over the next six years, with the first tranche released next year. Funding will support research labs, data‑center construction, and partnerships with domestic tech firms.
Key objectives
- Develop a large‑scale AI model that can rival leading global systems
- Create a domestic ecosystem for AI talent and startups
- Ensure the model meets South Korea’s security and ethical standards
Industry involvement
Major Korean conglomerates such as Samsung and LG, along with AI‑focused startups, have been invited to join the consortium, receiving grants and access to government‑run supercomputing resources.
International context
The initiative comes as the United States and China pour billions into similar projects, and the European Union is launching its own AI‑on‑the‑edge strategy. South Korea’s move signals a desire to be a regional AI hub.
This program will position South Korea at the forefront of next‑generation AI technology, strengthening both our economy and national security," said a senior official from the Ministry of Science and ICT.
The plan also includes provisions for ethical oversight, with a dedicated board to monitor bias, data privacy and the responsible deployment of the model.
For more details, see the Reuters report titled "South Korea plans to develop $3.5 billion frontier AI model starting next year".
Reuters coverage of South Korea’s frontier AI model initiative