At AI Summit, South Korea Outlines Its AI Future With NVIDIA and Partners

SAN FRANCISCO, 25 JULY 2026 —

South Korea Outlines AI Ambitions With NVIDIA at San Francisco Summit

South Korean President Jae Myung Lee and top business leaders are meeting with NVIDIA and its ecosystem partners at the AI Summit in San Francisco to discuss the country's artificial intelligence (AI) progress. The gathering builds on NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang's visit to Korea last month, aiming to advance the nation's AI infrastructure and expertise. The summit is part of South Korea's efforts to become a global center for AI innovation, with a focus on expanding its full-stack AI capabilities.

The history of South Korea's AI development dates back several years, with the government and private sector investing heavily in research and development. In recent years, the country has made significant strides in AI, with major companies such as Samsung and Hyundai Motor Group making significant investments in the technology. The partnership between NVIDIA and South Korean institutions is expected to further accelerate the country's AI progress. NVIDIA has been actively engaging with Korean businesses and research institutions, including a longstanding partnership with SK Group, to co-develop AI technologies and infrastructure.

This week's discussions and announcements at the AI Summit have yielded several key developments. NVIDIA and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) announced a joint AI research lab at the KAIST Kim Jaechul Graduate School of AI in Seoul, dedicated to advancing agentic AI for South Korea. The lab will bring together NVIDIA's full-stack AI expertise, open models, and AI Cloud partner computing with KAIST's scientific talent. Additionally, Samsung Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong, Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chairman and CEO Euisun Chung, and NAVER founder and Chairman Lee Hae-jin met with NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang, highlighting the strong collaboration between Korean businesses and NVIDIA.

The partnership between NVIDIA and South Korean institutions is expected to have a significant impact on the Malaysian market, although details on specific implications are not yet available. As South Korea continues to develop its AI capabilities, it may lead to increased trade and investment opportunities with neighboring countries, including Malaysia. Malaysian companies may also be able to leverage South Korea's AI expertise and infrastructure to drive their own innovation and growth. However, the exact nature and extent of this impact will depend on various factors, including the specific areas of cooperation and the level of investment.

In terms of sector-specific developments, the partnership between NVIDIA and SK Group is expected to drive growth in the AI infrastructure and memory sectors. The two companies announced an expanded collaboration in June to co-develop memory for NVIDIA platforms, spanning AI infrastructure, personal AI, and physical AI. SK Telecom also announced plans to build AI infrastructure to power Korea's innovation in physical AI, robotics, and more. These developments are expected to have a positive impact on the growth of the AI sector in South Korea and potentially in Malaysia, although details on specific company implications are not yet available.

Looking ahead, the outcome of the AI Summit and the partnership between NVIDIA and South Korean institutions is expected to play a significant role in shaping the country's AI future. With the establishment of the joint AI research lab and the expanded collaboration between NVIDIA and SK Group, South Korea is poised to become a major player in the global AI landscape. As the summit continues, further announcements and developments are expected, including meetings between President Lee and U.S. business leaders. Details on these developments will be made available as they emerge.

Related: NVIDIA · Jae Myung Lee · San Francisco