Investment of 125.3 billion won in 13 support projects in three fields… “Realization of a comprehensive semiconductor powerhouse in 2030”
[에너지데일리 윤호철 기자] The Ministry of Science and ICT (Minister Ki-Young Choi) was a follow-up measure to the joint’Artificial Intelligence Semiconductor Development Strategy’ announced in October last year, and last year (9 projects, 71.8 billion won) for 13 support projects to become a leading country in artificial intelligence semiconductors. It was confirmed on the 12th that it will invest a total of 125.3 billion won, an increase of about 75%, and that the business will be pursued in earnest, such as a public offering.
Artificial Intelligence Semiconductor (NPU, Neural Processing Unit) is a high-performance, low-power system semiconductor specialized in implementing artificial intelligence such as learning and reasoning. It is expected to create a new market by converging with various industries such as mobile, automobile, and home appliances, and it is the core infrastructure of digital new deal such as digital dam.
In order to preoccupy the world market of artificial intelligence semiconductors, which is still in its infancy, the government has made active policy efforts from last year, such as establishing a joint mid- to long-term development strategy with relevant ministries with the aim of cultivating it as a’second DRAM’ by 2030. Is leaning.
This year’s support project consists of 13 projects in three major areas, such as ▲ core technology development (R&D) support ▲ fostering innovative companies ▲ industrial foundation formation, and strengthening software capabilities, including the development of new concept PIM semiconductors that can change the future semiconductor paradigm. Four new projects are being promoted, including support for demonstration of semiconductors and fostering innovative companies.
In particular, it supports full-cycle R&D such as’source technology development → commercial application technology development → demonstration’ necessary for each stage of growth of artificial intelligence semiconductor companies.
◎ Original technology development = Launched last year with the aim of securing the world’s best artificial intelligence semiconductor technology, 19 projects including large-scale R&D projects investing KRW 1 trillion over the next 10 years, continuous support for design, device and process technology innovation, and development of new device technology for brain neuro-simulation New support for assignments.
In addition, the R&D project to preempt the new concept of PIM (Processing In Memory) semiconductor technology that integrates storage (memory) and computation (processor) by utilizing the world’s No. 1 memory semiconductor capability will be promoted step by step.
First, as a leading project to preoccupy the initial market, the development of PIM semiconductor leading technology with high commercialization potential will be newly established in connection with domestic commercial and major processes (DRAM, embedded memory).
In addition, in order to secure super-differential technology in the second stage, we plan and promote mid-to-long-term preliminary projects worth KRW 1 trillion, including PIM development based on the next-generation memory new device process (PRAM, MRAM, etc.).
◎ Development of commercial application technology = Support for industry-academia-research cooperation application technology development such as technology transfer and manpower support for R&D original technologies (patents, etc.) owned by research institutes and universities will be expanded so that fabless companies (design specialized companies) can commercialize products early.
Support projects such as upgrading system SW (compiler, library, etc.) and development of design tools to strengthen the capabilities of the software (SW) field that domestic companies are vulnerable to are also promoted.
◎ Support for domestic semiconductor demonstration = Introducing artificial intelligence semiconductor technologies and products developed in Korea to public and private data centers, digital new deal projects (AI+X, 5G convergence services, healthcare, etc.), and a new demonstration project to support the creation of initial market demand. do.
In order to foster innovative companies that will lead the artificial intelligence semiconductor market, 8 start-ups, small and medium-sized venture fabless companies are selected, micro-process conversion, new design asset (IP) development and utilization, software optimization, etc. A new project is established.
In addition, it plans to gradually expand the support design tools for projects that support the joint use of expensive design tools for early fabless companies and provide specialized training.
In order to lay the foundation for the development of artificial intelligence technology and industry, projects to cultivate high-quality human resources such as artificial intelligence semiconductor design personnel will also be promoted.
Three additional artificial intelligence and system semiconductor research manpower training centers were installed in the university to cultivate advanced masters and doctoral-level talents capable of developing original technologies, attracting top-notch talents such as Ph.D. students residing abroad, and artificial intelligence graduate school (’21) 10),’Artificial Intelligence Semiconductor-related courses’ will also be opened.
In addition, the’Artificial Intelligence Semiconductor Design Competition’ will continue to promote the realization of creative ideas for university students and pre-founders and the influx of manpower into the artificial intelligence semiconductor field.
The Ministry of Science and ICT has continuously communicated and collaborated with the’Next Generation Intelligent Semiconductor Project Team’ launched last year and the’Artificial Intelligence Semiconductor Forum’ composed of experts from industry, academia, and research institutes to systematically manage and improve the performance of large-scale projects. Through business and technology consulting, we plan to check and develop flexible business goals and implementation details that take into account the global technology and market.
In addition, performance announcements and investment conferences, support for technology transfer and utilization, and linkage with demanding companies are also promoted so that project results can be shared and spread.
In addition, it will enhance solidarity and cooperation between design companies, foundries, and demand companies, centering on artificial intelligence semiconductors, and continue to discover and support policy tasks necessary for the development of the technology and industrial ecosystem.
Following the initial achievements such as the first development of artificial intelligence semiconductors in Korea last year through the successful promotion of such major projects, this year, more visible achievements such as the development of 4 additional artificial intelligence semiconductors, support and demonstration of commercialization of 2 cases, and training of 270 experts. Explained that it is expected to be created.
Minister of Science and Technology Choi Ki-young said, “This year, we will fully implement the policies established last year, such as fostering large R&D and innovative companies, fostering human resources, and creating an initial market in connection with the digital new deal, and realizing a comprehensive semiconductor powerhouse in 2030.”
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