South Korea plans $3.5bn AI model project starting March
South Korea's science ministry plans a 4.7 trillion won ($3.5bn) project to develop a frontier AI model from March, pending December budget approval. The state-led initiative will combine public equity with private funds and be separate from a basic model programme.
South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT has announced plans to launch a 4.7 trillion won ($3.5 billion) project to develop a frontier artificial intelligence model, starting from March next year.
The ministry said it will select a lead developer through an open tender after the National Assembly approves the 2027 budget in December, with the winning bidder possibly announced as early as February. The government plans to combine state equity investment with private capital, channelling computing chips, data and talent into the project to create a model with leading performance.
The frontier AI project will be separate from a basic model programme that is already under way. The ministry said the basic model project will continue and will select two final teams in a third-stage review next February.
Various types of entities, including single companies, corporate consortia or special-purpose companies, will be eligible to participate, allowing startups, corporations, universities and researchers to take a leading role, the ministry added.
