US tech giant Nvidia has announced that it will provide over 260,000 advanced Blackwell AI chips to South Korea’s government and major corporations, including Samsung Electronics. The move strengthens Nvidia’s role as a key driver in the global AI boom, following a series of high-profile deals that recently helped the company surpass a $5 trillion valuation.
For South Korea, the agreement supports President Lee Jae Myung’s plan to position the nation as a leading AI hub, especially as economic uncertainty grows amid US tariffs. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said Korea is now poised to “produce intelligence” as a major new export, similar to its historic success in automobiles, ships, and semiconductors.
The partnership was confirmed after Huang met with President Lee and top executives from Samsung, SK Group, and Hyundai Motor Group during the APEC summit in Gyeongju. It also deepens Nvidia’s foothold in a market less impacted by US-China trade tensions, which have restricted the company’s AI chip exports to China.
Under the plan, the South Korean government will use more than 50,000 AI chips to expand national computing power. Samsung, SK Group, and Hyundai will each deploy up to 50,000 chips to upgrade smart factories and enhance semiconductor and vehicle manufacturing. Additionally, leading tech firm Naver will acquire 60,000 chips.
New AI infrastructure initiatives—including the National AI Computing Center and Hyundai’s development of a supercomputer for autonomous driving, robotics, and smart mobility—are expected to accelerate the country’s technological advancement.
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