"Now is Korea's moment."
Nvidia Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang pointed to Korea as a key base for the next-generation artificial intelligence (AI) industry. The assessment is that Korea, which has capabilities in manufacturing, semiconductors and software at the same time, could become one of the biggest beneficiaries in the race to build AI infrastructure. He also pushed back against the recent narrative of an AI bubble, saying "the market reaction is wrong" and stressing that the build-out of AI infrastructure is just beginning.
Huang said at a press briefing held at the Yeongbingwan of The Shilla Seoul in Jung-gu on the 8th, "The next wave of AI is physical AI and Robotics," adding, "Korea is a very unique country that possesses all the capabilities in heavy industry, manufacturing, electronics, software and AI research."
He said, "Countries strong in manufacturing and heavy industry tend to be weak in software, and those strong in software are often weak in manufacturing," adding, "But Korea excels in all these fields." He continued, "Korea is also at the next level after the United States and China in AI research, and its capabilities in science and technology, mathematics, artificial intelligence, software and computer science are world class."
Huang cited "AI infrastructure" as the key driver of AI industry growth. "AI infrastructure is the next-generation infrastructure after electricity, the internet and computing," he said, explaining, "Just as shipyards and semiconductor fabs require capital, AI factories also require massive capital and energy." He added, "This industry can only thrive if there is energy and capital."
He especially gave high marks to Korea's energy competitiveness. "Korea is incredibly strong in the energy sector," Huang said, calling it "one of the world leaders in nuclear technology." He added, "This is truly a great time for Korea, which has capabilities in nuclear power, energy and manufacturing," stressing that "the government should help corporations gain easy access to capital."
He said his trip expanded cooperation with Korean corporations. "On this trip I brought enormous business to Korea," Huang said, adding, "Through a large partnership with SK hynix and SK Telecom, business potentially worth hundreds of billions of dollars could be created in Korea." He emphasized, "From energy to semiconductors, infrastructure, Robotics and applications, Korea is working with Nvidia at every layer of the AI ecosystem."
He also unveiled plans to work with Naver. "Together with Naver, we will build a 200-megawatt (MW) AI cloud and expand it to 1 gigawatt (GW) in the future," Huang said, calling Naver "a world-class cloud service provider." He said, "Building a 1 GW AI factory currently requires about $60 billion," adding, "Together with Naver, we will expand Korea's AI cloud infrastructure."
He attached special significance to cooperation with SK hynix. "The reason Nvidia can build AI supercomputers today is thanks to SK hynix," Huang said, adding, "SK hynix's memory technology will be used across future products including the next-generation AI supercomputer 'Vera Rubin,' the new CPU 'Vera,' next-generation RTX PCs and Robotics processors." He also said, "SK hynix said it will double its production capacity by 2030, but even that may not be enough," expressing confidence in growing AI memory demand.
He also mentioned cooperation with Samsung Electronics. "We have worked with Samsung for a long time," Huang said, adding, "We are currently pursuing an innovative new ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit) project together." Citing memory collaboration with SK hynix, data center and Robotics cooperation with LG, Autonomous Driving and mobility cooperation with Hyundai Motor, and AI cloud cooperation with Naver, he stressed, "For 25 years, we have grown together with Korean corporations."
Huang also directly countered market concerns about the AI industry. "The market's response to the recent weak results of some companies is wrong," he said. "Nvidia holds 80% of the AI market and is growing nearly 100% year over year." He added, "The reason AI is growing is simple: AI has finally become useful," explaining, "Nvidia also uses AI for software development, and corporations are willing to pay a premium to use AI."
He continued, "AI has now become a profitable industry," adding, "More investment flows into profitable industries, and that is why the number of AI factories keeps increasing." He emphasized, "In the future, every corporation, nation and individual will use AI, and AI will become a utility that is everywhere, like electricity and the internet."
Huang said, "What happened in the market last week is just noise," adding, "Korea is a fantastic place to invest in the future of AI." He added, "If the stock market has fallen, it is rather an opportunity to buy at a discounted price," noting, "I have very strong conviction about the future of Korea and AI."