[Haenam Solasido=An Shin-hye] The Ministry of Science and ICT announced that it may expand the scale of graphics processing units (GPUs) secured for the National AI Computing Center based on future AI demand. The equipment will not be limited to specific models but will incorporate the latest GPUs and AI semiconductors, reflecting the technological level and market conditions at the time of construction.
During a Q&A session following the groundbreaking ceremony for the National AI Computing Center held on August 3 in Haenam Solasido, Kim Kwang-nyeon, head of the AI Computing Infrastructure Team at the Ministry, stated, "The currently proposed 15,000 GPUs are based on the initial business plan, and we do not rule out the possibility of further expansion if demand arises."
The National AI Computing Center will be established on a site of over 48,000 square meters in Haenam Solasido, with a total project cost of approximately 2.5 trillion won. The center aims to be completed by the end of 2028, with plans to provide some AI computing resources starting in 2027 using the Samsung SDS data center.
However, the decision to expand the GPU capacity will be made through consultations among the Korea AI Computing Center (Korea AI Computing Center), the government, and participating shareholders. The establishment of Korea AI Computing Center as a public-private joint venture is intended to respond flexibly to changes in AI computing demand.
The equipment to be introduced will not be limited to specific products, and selections will be made based on the technological level and market conditions at the time of construction. Kim added, "While the Samsung SDS consortium proposed a certain level of GPU configuration during the business proposal, we plan to introduce the optimal products reflecting the latest technological trends at the actual construction stage."
The use of domestic AI semiconductors is also being pursued, but the specific products and scale will be determined based on technological competitiveness, market conditions, and equipment selection and procurement circumstances at the time of construction.
The center has also secured the necessary power and water supply for its operations. Choi Hee-joo, head of the data center construction at Korea AI Computing Center, explained, "We have confirmed a power supply of 40 megawatts (MW) through the reservation process with Korea Electric Power Corporation and have established a water supply base through consultations with local governments."
To enhance the stability of the center's initial operations, the government plans to link public sector AI computing demand and respond to the AI computing needs of industry, academia, and research institutions.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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