By Jeong Euiseok

Full-fledged construction has started for the National AI Computing Center, part of the core infrastructure of the artificial intelligence (AI) highway.

The Ministry of Science and ICT on Aug. 3 said it held a groundbreaking ceremony for the center at Solasido Data Center Park in Haenam-gun County, Jeollanam-do Province.

The facility is part of core infrastructure to supports the growth of the domestic AI ecosystem by securing the latest AI computing resources for the creation of a research and development (R&D) environment and promotion of homegrown AI semiconductors. Completion is slated for 2028 with an expected capacity of 15,000 advanced AI semiconductor wafers.

A Samsung SDS-led consortium is the business operator. Korea AI Computing Center Co., Ltd., a corporation dedicated to the facility's construction and operation, was also launched in June.

Once completed, the center will offer world-class AI computing infrastructure to industry, academia and think tanks at reasonable prices and actively respond to the government's demand for AI innovation.

The plan is to boost the domestic AI semiconductor ecosystem by forming an R&D zone within the center to offer an environment for designing and verifying prototypes of homegrown AI chips, as well as releasing products with proven performance through commercial services.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT Bae Kyunghoon said, "I expect Solasido Data Center Park to serve as a key hub for the government's three major mega-projects based on the site's abundant renewable energy and expandable location, as well as a model of balanced national development where regions can grow together with the country."

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