South Korea goes big, targets 10,000 GPUs for national AI computing hub

The global artificial intelligence industry has created unprecedented demand for specialized graphics processing units (GPUs), which are essential components for training AI models and running advanced applications. South Korea has announced an ambitious initiative to acquire 10,000 GPUs for its national AI computing center, positioning itself as a serious contender in the international AI landscape.

Strategic importance: South Korea’s push to secure GPUs reflects a broader shift in AI competition from corporate rivalry to national-level innovation ecosystems.

• Acting President Choi Sang-mok emphasized the urgency of establishing robust AI infrastructure through public-private partnerships
• The government aims to launch services at its national AI computing centre early, though specific GPU models and participating companies will be determined by September 2025
• The initiative demonstrates South Korea’s commitment to maintaining technological competitiveness in the AI sector

Global context: Recent U.S. export controls on AI chips have created a tiered system of access to critical GPU technology.

• South Korea benefits from its position among 18 countries exempt from U.S. restrictions
• The regulations particularly target countries like China, Iran, and Russia, which face complete export bans
• This regulatory environment gives South Korea a significant advantage in accessing advanced AI hardware

Market dynamics: The GPU market remains heavily dominated by U.S.-based manufacturers, with emerging alternatives gaining attention.

• Nvidia controls approximately 80% of the global GPU market, with Intel and AMD as distant competitors
• OpenAI is developing its first in-house AI chip to reduce dependency on Nvidia, with plans to manufacture at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co
• Chinese startup DeepSeek is making progress with AI models that emphasize computational efficiency over raw processing power

Technical considerations: The scale of GPU requirements for AI development varies based on multiple factors.

• The complexity of AI models, data volume, and desired training time all influence the number of GPUs needed
• ChatGPT’s development and improvement relies on tens of thousands of GPUs
• The South Korean initiative’s target of 10,000 GPUs suggests a significant commitment to developing advanced AI capabilities

Strategic implications: South Korea’s GPU acquisition plan represents a critical step in establishing technological sovereignty in the AI era, though success will depend on effective implementation and integration with existing research and development infrastructure. The initiative may also inspire similar national-level investments in AI computing resources from other countries seeking to maintain competitive advantages in the global AI landscape.