The Ministry of Science and ICT is actively working to expand the application of domestically produced AI semiconductors in the public sector.

The Ministry of Science and ICT announced that it attended the 4th Central-Local Policy Consultative Meeting on the 2nd and requested the application of domestically produced AI semiconductors in the public sector.

The Central-Local Policy Council is a consultative body in which relevant ministries and 17 cities and provinces participate, and it is an organization that discusses requests for cooperation from central ministries and suggestions from local governments.

Although AI semiconductors have been released by various domestic companies, initial demand is required for product performance verification and the demonstration of devices and services.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Science and ICT requested support to enable the use of domestic AI semiconductors in projects requiring semiconductor application, such as intelligent CCTV and smart cities, promoted by local governments.

We requested improvements to the wording of bid announcements for IT projects, as there are cases where specific foreign brands or model names are specified, to allow domestic AI semiconductors to participate if they meet the required performance standards. In addition, they requested that measures be considered to encourage or provide preferential treatment for the use of domestic AI semiconductors, such as applying priority purchasing when new technology or new product certifications are secured.

This request for cooperation is part of the support measures for the growth of the AI semiconductor industry announced by the Ministry of Science and ICT last June.

The Ministry of Science and ICT announced that it is requesting the introduction and expansion of domestic AI semiconductors across the public sector to create initial market demand for AI semiconductors, and that next year it plans to start construction of 'NPU Farm,' a data center based on domestic AI semiconductors, and also promote the 'AI+ Chip Project' to apply domestic AI semiconductors to products.

Park Yun-gyu, the Second Vice Minister of Science and ICT, stated, “As the use of artificial intelligence spreads across industries, the demand for AI semiconductors is rapidly increasing. The government will actively support Korea so that it can secure a leading position in the next-generation AI semiconductor market.”