South Korea bets $3.49 billion on building a homegrown frontier AI model to rival China's best
South Korea proposes $3.49 billion to fund a homegrown frontier model meant to match China’s best open models.
South Korea’s government plans equity investments of 4.7 trillion won ($3.49 billion) to build a homegrown frontier AI model, included in a proposed 2027 budget that parliament still must approve. A second funding track would support adoption of Korean-built models across the economy, through an open competition that startups can enter. Current finalists LG AI Research, SK Telecom, and Upstage are not guaranteed further money. Officials say Korea cannot match the largest US labs but can aim at leading Chinese open models; an earlier round had pledged about 530 billion won ($390 million) to five selected companies.
- Proposed 2027 budget includes 4.7 trillion won, about $3.49 billion.
- Parliament has not yet approved the funding.
- Goal is parity with leading Chinese open models, not US frontier labs.
- LG AI Research, SK Telecom, and Upstage are finalists but not guaranteed funds.
- Prior program pledged about 530 billion won to five companies.
- Organizations
- LG AI ResearchSK TelecomUpstageSamsungSK Hynix
- Countries
- South KoreaChinaUnited States
From the original article
1 min read at the-decoder.com
South Korea wants to develop a homegrown frontier model through government-backed equity investments of 4. 7 trillion won ($3. 49 billion).
By Jonathan Kemper · the-decoder.com
A short excerpt; the article and its images belong to the publisher. Summary, key facts and assessment above are AI-written from the article and can be wrong.