South Korea plans to develop $3.5 billion frontier AI model starting next year

South Korea plans to launch a 4.7 trillion won ($3.5 billion) programme ​to develop a frontier AI model ‌from March 2027, the science ministry said, as Seoul seeks to compete in the race to ​build cutting-edge artificial intelligence.

The Ministry of Science and ICT ⁠plans to select a lead developer through ​a competitive tender after parliament approves the ​2027 budget in December, with the winner potentially chosen as early as February, it said.

The government ​plans to combine state equity investment ​with private funding and concentrate computing chips, data and ‌talent ⁠on the project, which aims to develop a model with leading performance.

The ministry said the initiative would be separate from ​its home-grown foundation ​model ⁠programme, which will continue and select two final teams in a ​third-stage review in February 2027.

Participation ​will ⁠be open to various entities including single companies, consortiums or special-purpose vehicles, it said, ⁠adding ​it aimed to allow ​startups, firms, universities and researchers to play leading roles.

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/south-korea-plans-develop-35-billion-frontier-ai-model-starting-next-year-2026-10-06/