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South Korea Must Develop 'Mythos-class' Frontier AI, Needs 10,000 GPUs, Deputy PM Says
🇰🇷 South Korea /Technology

South Korea Must Develop 'Mythos-class' Frontier AI, Needs 10,000 GPUs, Deputy PM Says

From Chosun Ilbo · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • South Korea needs to develop its own "Mythos-class" Frontier AI, according to Deputy Prime Minister Byunghoon Bae.
  • Developing such an AI is estimated to require 10,000 GPUs, with procurement costs projected at 3.5 trillion won (approximately $2.5 billion USD).
  • The government is emphasizing the need for domestic AI development to secure technological competitiveness.

South Korea must proactively develop its own "Mythos-class" Frontier Artificial Intelligence to maintain its technological edge, stated Deputy Prime Minister Byunghoon Bae. He emphasized the critical need for the nation to invest in and build indigenous AI capabilities, particularly in the realm of advanced AI models that can compete on a global scale.

The development of such a sophisticated AI system is a monumental undertaking, requiring substantial resources. Preliminary estimates suggest that the project would necessitate approximately 10,000 Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), which are essential for the intensive computations involved in training large-scale AI models. The procurement cost for these GPUs alone is estimated to be around 3.5 trillion won, roughly equivalent to $2.5 billion USD, highlighting the significant financial commitment required.

We must develop a Korean-type Frontier AI of the Mythos class.

— Byunghoon BaeStating the need for domestic development of advanced AI.

Deputy Prime Minister Bae's remarks underscore a strategic shift towards self-reliance in critical technological sectors. The government recognizes that dependence on foreign AI technology could pose risks to national security and economic competitiveness in the long run. Therefore, fostering domestic AI research and development is seen as a crucial step to ensure South Korea remains at the forefront of technological innovation.

The push for a "Korean-type Frontier AI" signals a national ambition to not only adopt but also lead in the AI revolution. This initiative is expected to drive advancements across various industries, from manufacturing and healthcare to defense and public services, ultimately contributing to the nation's overall economic growth and societal progress. The government's commitment to investing in high-performance computing infrastructure, such as the proposed GPU acquisition, is a testament to its long-term vision for AI leadership.

It is estimated that 10,000 GPUs will be needed, and the purchase cost is estimated at 3.5 trillion won.

— Byunghoon BaeDetailing the significant hardware requirements and costs for AI development.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Chosun Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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