Nvidia to Deliver 260,000 Blackwell AI Chips to Power South Korea’s AI Ambitions

Nvidia is deepening its global AI reach by supplying over 260,000 Blackwell AI chips to South Korea. The U.S. semiconductor leader announced the deal on Friday, partnering with the South Korean government and tech giants like Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Motor Group, and SK Group.

This large-scale partnership positions South Korea to become a regional hub for artificial intelligence, accelerating its national AI ambitions under President Lee Jae Myung, who has prioritized technology-driven growth.

A Push Toward National AI Infrastructure

South Korea’s government will deploy more than 50,000 Blackwell chips to strengthen its AI infrastructure. These chips will support the country’s new National AI Computing Center, built in collaboration with major internet firms such as Naver and Kakao.

Naver, South Korea’s largest search engine, plans to acquire 60,000 Nvidia chips, while Samsung, Hyundai, and SK Group will each use up to 50,000 chips for smart factory operations in semiconductor and automotive manufacturing.

The initiative aims to drive research, innovation, and digital transformation across industries, from autonomous driving to robotics.

Jensen Huang: ‘Korea Can Export Intelligence’

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang emphasized Korea’s potential to lead the AI era.

“Just as Korea’s physical factories have inspired the world with ships, cars, chips, and electronics, the nation can now produce intelligence as a new export,” he said during the announcement in Gyeongju.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, where Huang met with President Lee and top executives from Samsung, SK Group, and Hyundai.

Strategic Expansion Amid Trade Tensions

The announcement comes as Nvidia faces challenges in China due to U.S. export restrictions. With trade tensions affecting its market share in advanced AI chips, Nvidia is now focusing on less geopolitically sensitive regions like South Korea to expand its presence.

By targeting industries beyond generative AI — including manufacturing, automotive, and retail — Nvidia aims to diversify its global footprint and maintain its leadership in AI computing.

Hyundai’s Supercomputer Vision

As part of the collaboration, Hyundai Motor Group will work closely with Nvidia to build a supercomputer that will power research in autonomous driving, robotics, and smart factories.

This marks another step in Hyundai’s strategy to integrate AI across its operations and products.

A New Chapter for Korea’s AI Future

The Nvidia deal reinforces South Korea’s growing influence in the global AI landscape. By combining its manufacturing strength with advanced AI hardware, the country is poised to become a key driver of AI innovation in Asia.

With major corporations investing heavily and government support rising, South Korea’s AI ecosystem could soon rival leading technology nations.