Google to build first-of-its-kind AI campus in South Korea

Google and South Korea have entered a partnership, agreeing to build artificial intelligence in Seoul to boost tech innovation and the knowledge economy.

On Monday, Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung signed a memorandum of understanding on the campus, as confirmed by Kim Yong-beom, a presidential policy adviser.

Under this MoU, the planned AI campus will be the first of its kind in the world, aiming to expand the Korean government’s cooperation with global AI companies. Moreover, various startups and researchers will also benefit from the expertise of Google.

According to the signed agreement, South Korea is requested to send at least 10 engineers to the AI campus from Google’s headquarters in the US.

“Hassabis agreed to actively consider dispatching Google researchers to Korea. The CEO instantly accepted our request to send at least 10,” Kim said.

During the meeting, Hassabis and Lee also talked about various topics concerning the AI ecosystem and the responsible use of technology in the wake of growing cyber threats.

In addition to the US and China, South Korea is striving to take a lead in the landscape of artificial intelligence. According to the Ministry of Science and ICT, the collaboration will further strengthen South Korea’s “K-Moonshot” project, an integration of AI and science capabilities to deal with major national challenges.

The Seoul government aims to use the K-Moonshot project to raise research productivity to the world’s fifth-highest level by 2030 and use AI to address 12 national missions by 2035, in areas including advanced biotechnology, energy, space and semiconductors.

MoU will “serve as a key opportunity for the two organizations to cooperate in accelerating AI-driven innovation in science and technology centered on Korea’s K-Moonshot,” Minister of Science and ICT Bae Kyung-hoon said.

According to Hassabis, the partnership “will help train the next generation in these amazing technologies through internships at our AI hub and other training programmes.”

During the discussion, Hassabis expressed desire to strengthen cooperation with Korean ⁠companies including, Samsung, SK Hynix, Hyundai's Boston Dynamics and LG to start new joint projects.