Seoul: Nvidia Corp. Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang is embarking on a strategic visit to South Korea, where he plans to engage with top executives from various industries. This visit underscores Nvidia's intent to strengthen partnerships within the artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem, extending beyond semiconductors to embrace robotics, smart factories, and AI platforms.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Huang's arrival in Seoul from Taiwan was met with significant anticipation, drawing attention comparable to that typically reserved for celebrities. His visit, the first in seven months, is generating considerable interest among investors and industry leaders, who are keen on Nvidia's potential AI collaborations in South Korea.
One notable event during Huang's visit is a scheduled dinner with prominent figures such as SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo, and Naver Chairman Lee Hae-jin. These companies are integral to the AI value chain, covering a spectrum from semiconductors to AI models and robotics. Although Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung was initially expected to attend, he is now slated to meet Huang separately at Hyundai's headquarters.
Huang's itinerary also includes a meeting with e-sports star Lee Sang-hyeok, known as Faker, and the T1 League of Legends team at a PC gaming cafe in Seoul. Additionally, he is set to participate in a ceremonial first pitch at a Doosan Bears home game, which will present further opportunities for AI collaboration discussions, particularly with Doosan Robotics.
During this four-day visit, Huang will also engage with gaming industry executives, AI and robotics startups, university researchers, and students. This diverse range of meetings highlights Nvidia's evolving view of South Korea as a strategic partner in the AI ecosystem, not just a supplier of memory chips.
Nvidia's focus is shifting beyond the current AI boom towards "physical AI," which encompasses AI systems capable of real-world interaction through robots and intelligent machines. South Korea is uniquely positioned to play a pivotal role in this transition, given its strengths in semiconductors, automotive manufacturing, industrial robotics, and consumer electronics.
Semiconductors remain central to Nvidia's relationship with South Korea. Huang's agenda includes discussions with Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, both leading producers of high-bandwidth memory chips essential for Nvidia's AI accelerators. As demand for AI infrastructure grows, South Korea's involvement in Nvidia's supply chain is expected to expand.
The South Korean government and major companies are unveiling plans to bolster AI infrastructure, aiming to secure a global leadership position in AI. Initiatives include expanding AI data centers and cloud computing capabilities, with players like Naver and SK Group investing heavily in these areas.
The collaboration between Nvidia and South Korean firms extends to robotics and smart factories, with Hyundai Motor Group and LG Electronics emerging as potential partners. Hyundai, which owns Boston Dynamics, and Nvidia plan to invest significantly in AI technology centers and physical AI applications in Korea.
Investor optimism is rising as Nvidia's engagement with South Korea's AI ecosystem deepens. Shares of South Korean technology firms expected to collaborate with Nvidia have seen gains, driven by expectations of future growth in AI-driven sectors.
Hwang Soo-wook, an analyst at Meritz Securities, emphasized that Huang's visit represents an opportunity to assess South Korea's potential role in Nvidia's global AI infrastructure expansion strategy.