Hyundai, Nvidia in talks on Korea AI center: report

Hyundai Motor Group, Nvidia, and the South Korean government are reportedly in the final stages of discussions to establish an AI technology center in South Korea, with North Jeolla Province’s Saemangeum industrial zone as a leading candidate. The facility would focus on next-generation AI, physical AI, and robotics, leveraging Nvidia’s expertise and Hyundai’s manufacturing capabilities. Saemangeum, home to South Korea’s largest land reclamation project, was chosen for its renewable energy advantages, critical for powering energy-intensive AI infrastructures. The proposed center would be one of only a handful of Nvidia-backed AI research facilities globally, following similar initiatives in Singapore and Taiwan. Discussions follow a memorandum of understanding signed in October among the three parties to cooperate on AI centers in South Korea. Hyundai has already committed 9 trillion won ($5.89 billion) to develop an innovation hub in Saemangeum, covering AI, robotics, and hydrogen industries. A Hyundai official declined to confirm the report, stating no decisions had been made regarding the center’s establishment, timing, or location. However, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s visit to Seoul beginning Friday has heightened expectations for deeper AI and robotics partnerships. Huang is set to meet Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun, along with executives from SK Group, LG Group, and Naver, during his four-day stay. Huang previously emphasized the importance of robotics to South Korea, citing the country’s strong technology ecosystem and potential for Nvidia investments. Central to the anticipated collaboration is Boston Dynamics, a key robotics affiliate of Hyundai, which plans to deploy its Atlas humanoid robots across Hyundai’s manufacturing facilities. The discussions align with Hyundai’s broader strategy to integrate advanced robotics into its production processes, supported by Nvidia’s AI technologies.