Ministry of Science and ICT Announces 'AI Semiconductor Industry Growth Support Measures'
Activation of Domestic Chip Application in Local Governments and Public Projects
The government announced on the 27th that it will invest 1.02 trillion won over the next five years in advanced research and development (R&D) of artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductors and plans to expand joint research with the United States and other countries. Photo by Kim Hyun-min, Minister Lee Jong-ho of the Ministry of Science and ICT / kimhyun81@
[Asia Economy Reporter Minyoung Cha] The government has set a plan to invest 1.02 trillion won over the next five years in research and development (R&D) of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductor technologies and to expand joint research with countries such as the United States. During this period, various AI semiconductor-related departments will be newly established to train 7,000 AI semiconductor specialists. An industry-academia-research cooperation ecosystem will also be created in collaboration with major semiconductor companies such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix.
On the 27th, Lee Jong-ho, Minister of Science and ICT, chaired the '1st AI Semiconductor High-Level Strategic Dialogue' at the KAIST main campus and announced the 'AI Semiconductor Industry Growth Support Measures' based on these plans.
First, the goal is to secure a super-gap technology capability in AI semiconductors. Including preliminary feasibility studies, 1.02 trillion won will be invested over the next five years in advanced AI semiconductor technology R&D, and joint research with leading countries such as the United States will be expanded. 1.0096 trillion won will be invested in the development of next-generation intelligent semiconductors, and 402.7 billion won in PIM semiconductor development. The funding will be jointly borne by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
Initial market demand for domestically produced AI semiconductors will also be created. A project to build data centers, one of the largest demand sectors for semiconductors, using domestic AI semiconductors will be promoted in 2023, and computing power will be provided free of charge to AI developers. The 'AI+ Chip Project,' which utilizes domestic AI semiconductors in AI product and service development and verifies their performance, will be conducted simultaneously. Domestic chips will also be actively applied in public projects of local governments such as intelligent CCTV and smart cities.
An industry-academia-research cooperation ecosystem involving large corporations will be established. This is to enable universities and research institutes to design semiconductors optimized for advanced commercial processes. Previously, the market had expressed dissatisfaction that semiconductor technology was disconnected from the field or was of low quality. For example, Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix provide technical advice to research institutions participating in government projects developing PIM semiconductors. Excellent results will be considered for application in semiconductor production processes.
Additionally, among the research outcomes of government projects developing NPUs (Neural Processing Units), processors optimized for AI algorithm computations mimicking neural networks, if verified by Samsung Electronics' partner design houses and evaluated as excellent design technology (IP), they will be included in Samsung Electronics Foundry's design technology database (IP pool). This support enables application to various fabless companies' products.
7,000 AI semiconductor specialists will also be trained. AI semiconductor joint majors (undergraduate) will be established at three universities, and efforts will be made to advance semiconductor pilot production facilities owned by universities and research institutes, along with establishing semiconductor design and manufacturing education linked to these facilities. Next year, AI semiconductor graduate schools will be newly established at three universities, and outstanding students will be sent abroad for up to one year through a dispatch program.
Minister Lee Jong-ho of the Ministry of Science and ICT stated, "AI semiconductors are a field where Korea can take the lead based on competitiveness in memory semiconductors and foundry sectors," adding, "We will support not only leading the global AI semiconductor market but also strengthening competitiveness across the entire system semiconductor sector."
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