South Korea and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have agreed to jointly pursue the 'Stargate Project,' an artificial intelligence (AI) cluster development initiative valued at over 30 trillion won.
The Ministry of Science and ICT, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy Committee announced on the 18th that, in conjunction with President Lee Jaemyung's state visit to the UAE, the two countries plan to expand their cooperation.
President Lee Jae-myung is moving to the inspection platform with Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), at the official welcoming ceremony for the state visit held at the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on the 18th (local time). Photo by Yonhap News
The UAE Stargate Project involves building an AI data center cluster with a capacity of up to 5GW in Abu Dhabi. The goal is to launch the first 200MW-class AI cluster in 2026. The initial investment alone is estimated at approximately 30 trillion won.
The government believes that strategic cooperation with major countries is essential for South Korea, which aims to become the AI capital of Asia, to lead the fiercely competitive global market. As the first step, the government plans to promote cooperation with the UAE in the fields of AI and energy.
This collaboration with the UAE marks the first case of strategically expanding the AI capabilities accumulated domestically into overseas markets.
The National Artificial Intelligence Strategy Committee and the Abu Dhabi Advanced Technology Research Council (AIATC) of the UAE have agreed to establish a 'Strategic AI Cooperation Framework' to enable comprehensive collaboration between the two countries in the AI sector. The main areas of cooperation include: ▲ AI investment and infrastructure development ▲ expansion of the AI supply chain ▲ acceleration of the adoption of AI and advanced technologies ▲ AI research and development. With the announcement of this framework, the two countries have agreed to work together on everything from the development of AI technologies and application services to the establishment of AI and energy infrastructure.
Starting with this summit, the two countries will jointly pursue large-scale projects for mutual prosperity and development. The first project will be the rapid implementation of a 'hyper-scale AI data center project based on an energy mix.' The plan is to construct a large-scale AI data center in the UAE and ensure its stable operation by building a power grid that utilizes nuclear power, gas, and renewable energy. The agreement also includes expanding cooperation into the semiconductor supply chain sector.
The two countries will also promote a 'physical AI-based port and logistics project.' Leveraging South Korea's experience in operating fully automated terminals and its data-driven 'physical AI,' the plan is to realize more efficient, automated, and intelligent ports. Busan Port and Abu Dhabi's Khalifa Port will serve as testbed ports for a joint project to demonstrate and verify these technologies.
The Ministry of Science and ICT, together with the UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, signed an MOU to support exchanges among research institutions, companies, and experts, and to promote private sector exchanges and AI investment in order to expand bilateral cooperation in the AI sector. The plan is to facilitate the participation of South Korean AI companies in the construction of UAE AI data centers and the AX project. The Ministry of Science and ICT and the UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence will establish and operate a director-level AI policy consultative body to ensure the continued implementation of these cooperative measures.
The South Korean government, led by the National AI Strategy Committee, plans to form sector-specific working groups with the UAE within the year, involving relevant ministries and agencies such as the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, as well as private companies. Through these working groups, the two countries will discuss concrete implementation plans and develop detailed cooperation measures.
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