The Ministry of SMEs and Startups said on the 21st that it will use 264 of the artificial intelligence (AI) graphics processing units (GPUs) secured by the government to support small manufacturing corporations and AI startups.
These GPUs are part of 10,000 units secured through a supplementary budget and allocated after demand surveys and reviews by each ministry. Of these, about 3,000 will be linked to each ministry's projects through the "national AI project."
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) secured a total of 264 GPUs as two projects were selected to support small manufacturing sites and startups. Specifically, 64 units were allocated to the "multi AI agent development specialized for small manufacturing" project, and 200 units to the "commercialization of strategic technologies for super-gap startups" project.
In particular, the super-gap startup project was selected as a key initiative to support the growth of GPU-based AI startups. All secured GPU resources will be provided to small and venture corporations and startups.
Eligible corporations can use GPUs in the cloud by connecting to the private data center NHN Cloud infrastructure, and they will be provided free of charge through the end of the year. The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) plans to begin support in June after a call for applications and selection evaluations.
The "AI agent" project for small manufacturing corporations supports the entire process of developing AI technologies for process and quality optimization and applying them on-site, focusing on consortia of technology companies and manufacturing companies.
In addition, the "super-gap startup" project will support GPUs for developing strategic AI technologies in collaboration with universities and government-funded research institutes and for developing industry-specialized AI solutions based on collaboration among corporations. Some units will also be allocated to the "Startup for All" program for prospective founders.
Park Yong-sun, director general for small and medium enterprise policy at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS), said, "This GPU support will help the AI transition of manufacturing sites and the growth of AI-based startups."