The National AI Computing Center construction project, which previously failed to attract any applicants and was left without a successful bidder, will be re-announced until June 13. The requirements for this re-announcement remain unchanged from the previous call.
The Ministry of Science and ICT announced that the extended re-announcement for the National AI Computing Center construction project will be held from June 2 to June 13.
The core of this project is to establish a special purpose company (SPC) with a 51:49 equity split between the government and the private sector, and to build a large-scale, AI-dedicated data center outside the Seoul metropolitan area. The total project budget is expected to reach 2.5 trillion won. The goals are to secure computing infrastructure with a performance of at least 1 exaflops (EF) and to increase the share of domestically produced AI semiconductors.
The Ministry plans to use this project to support the following: providing advanced graphics processing units (GPUs) to industry and research sectors; creating demand for domestic AI semiconductors; fostering cooperation with global companies; and linking with government research and development (R&D) outcomes.
In the first round of applications, not a single applicant came forward, resulting in the bid being unsuccessful. Major companies such as the three mobile carriers, Kakao, and Naver attended the project briefing session for the call, but ultimately, no consortium submitted an application.
Industry observers analyze that the application requirements, such as the initial investment amount, acted as a burden. The selected private company would be required to contribute about 200 billion won by 2030. In addition, there are concerns about the significant risks involved in participating in a public-led project where it is difficult to generate profits, especially given the lack of long-term stability in AI computing demand.
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