[Column] Silicon Valley Discusses 20 Years Ahead, Korea Remains Stuck in the Present

A Cradle of Innovation: A Visit to Silicon Valley
A Gathering to Discuss Next-Generation Technologies Like AI and Robotics
Korean Companies Largely Absent in Future Tech Sectors
Bold Corporate Investment and Government Support Are Essential

On the 17th (local time), a view of the restaurant 'Denny's' in San Jose, California, USA. Photo by Park Joon-yi

"Who would have known that the idea that changed the world would start here."

A restaurant in San Jose, California, USA. In a corner of this place, known locally as a ‘Denise’?similar to a Kimbap Heaven in Korea?there was a plaque with this inscription. This was the spot where Jensen Huang, CEO and co-founder of NVIDIA, along with his co-founders, sat every morning in 1993, refilling their coffee ten times as they engaged in intense discussions. NVIDIA, founded that same year, has since grown into an innovative company with a market capitalization exceeding $2 trillion.

NVIDIA’s journey was not smooth from the start. In 1996, when the company’s finances hit rock bottom, CEO Huang had to lay off nearly 70% of the staff. Nevertheless, in his commencement speech at his alma mater, Stanford University, last year, he advised students to "endure enough pain and hardship." He meant that innovation is born when one bravely challenges failure despite difficulties.

On the 17th (local time), an NVIDIA commemorative plaque attached to the restaurant 'Denny's' in San Jose, California, USA. Photo by Junyi Park

On the 17th (local time), a view of the restaurant 'Denny's' in San Jose, California, USA. Photo by Park Joon-yi

Last week, the Silicon Valley I visited was still a city overflowing with waves of innovation. At this year’s GTC (annual developer conference), more than 15,000 people lined up for over two hours just to hear CEO Huang’s keynote speech. Many companies focused on his words because of the anticipation for the ‘road less traveled’ NVIDIA would present 20 to 30 years from now. Although some felt the impact was somewhat less than in the past, those who have attended every year said this year’s GTC felt like a ‘festival of AI (artificial intelligence).’

On the 19th (local time), participants lined up to wait to see the keynote speech by Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, at 'GTC 2025' in San Jose, California, USA. Photo by Junyi Park

During GTC in San Jose, Korean conglomerate executives expressed their difficulties, saying it was ‘hard to enter the market.’ Training AI models and operating services require massive investments in high-performance GPUs and data centers, but domestic conglomerates were hesitant to take on the challenge. This was due to the lack of large-scale investments from big tech companies and venture capitalists (VCs) like in the U.S. With the market not being active, startups that entered the industry are struggling after their initial funding ran out. One research head from a conglomerate also voiced frustration that attracting overseas investment was difficult because they had to consider their affiliates’ opinions.

The reason NVIDIA could grow from a small restaurant to an innovative company was thanks to bold challenges and an investment-friendly environment. While the AI industry in the U.S. is racing toward its peak, Korean conglomerates remain entrenched in traditional industries. To avoid falling behind in the AI semiconductor market, conglomerates, which have relatively more investment capacity than startups, must step up and invest boldly in the future instead of settling for the present. For this, the government needs to support research and development (R&D) and foster a collaborative ecosystem among companies. Innovation depends on who invests and challenges the future more boldly.

On the 19th (local time), Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, is delivering the keynote speech at 'GTC 2025' in San Jose, California, USA. Photo by Jun Lee Park