Nvidia CEO meets Korean gaming leaders to forge robotics alliance

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is in South Korea for a series of meetings with top executives from the country's leading gaming companies, signaling a potential expansion of the tech giant's focus beyond graphics processing units into the burgeoning field of robotics and 'physical AI.' Huang is scheduled to meet with Kim Taek-jin, CEO of NCSoft, and Jang Byung-gyu, Chairman of Krafton.

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Korea's next core industry will be robotics.

These high-profile discussions are anticipated to explore how the virtual environment and simulation capabilities honed by game developers like NCSoft and Krafton can be applied to real-world robotics. Huang has previously emphasized the importance of 'physical AI,' which uses virtual simulations for robots to learn and train before interacting with the physical world. Gaming companies, with their expertise in creating complex 3D environments and character behaviors, are seen as key partners in developing these advanced AI systems.

Huang's visit comes shortly after he expressed enthusiasm for South Korea's potential in the robotics sector, calling it the nation's 'next core industry.' He suggested that the convergence of Korea's manufacturing prowess and AI capabilities makes it an ideal landscape for robotic innovation. Huang also hinted at bringing 'surprise gifts' and significant business opportunities to Korea during his trip, further fueling speculation about potential investments and partnerships.

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I have prepared a surprise gift for Korea.

For NCSoft, a collaboration could extend its AI development beyond gaming into areas like defense and shipbuilding, as the company has already secured national projects for developing 'world models' for robots. Krafton, which has previously discussed humanoid robot cooperation with Nvidia, is expected to focus on on-device AI for gaming and potentially leverage Nvidia's new AI PC technology. These meetings represent a significant opportunity for both Korean gaming giants to secure crucial infrastructure and expand their global reach in the rapidly evolving AI and robotics landscape.

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