The Samsung SDS consortium has been selected as the preferred bidder for the National AI Computing Center project. Provided by Getty Images Bank
A National AI Computing Center equipped with 15,000 AI semiconductors will be established in Haenam, South Jeolla Province, by 2028.
The Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) announced on the 10th that it has selected the Samsung SDS consortium as the preferred bidder for the National AI Computing Center construction project.
The National AI Computing Center will be established and operated through a public-private Special Purpose Company (SPC). The goal is to create a virtuous cycle that expands AI infrastructure and stimulates private investment by leveraging public funds to attract private capital and expertise.
The consortium, led by Samsung SDS and including Naver Cloud Corp., Samsung C&T Corporation, Kakao Corp., Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Crush Inc., KT Corp., South Jeolla Province, and Seonamhaean Corporate City Development Co., Ltd., was the sole bidder in the project tender held from September to October 2023.
It was ultimately selected after passing both the technical and policy evaluation by MSIT and the financial review by the Korea Development Bank (National Growth Fund) and the Industrial Bank of Korea.
The project site is the Solaseado Data Center Park in Haenam, South Jeolla Province. The Samsung SDS consortium aims to secure 15,000 advanced AI semiconductors, such as GPUs, by 2028. It will also undertake policy tasks, including supporting AI development for industry and academia, promoting domestic AI semiconductors, and expanding cooperation with global companies.
MSIT, policy financial institutions, and the Samsung SDS consortium will finalize the project operator by signing a concession agreement after coordinating detailed requirements, such as the SPC’s operational plan and the rights and obligations of the public and private sectors. The center is scheduled to break ground in the third quarter of this year, with a completion target of 2028.
Choi Dong-won, Director-General for AI Infrastructure Policy at MSIT, stated, “We anticipate that the National AI Computing Center project, a core component of the national AI infrastructure and a platform for the AI ecosystem’s growth, will now move forward in earnest.” He added, “Aiming for completion by 2028, we will do our utmost to ensure swift progress through close communication with Samsung SDS and related organizations.”
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