The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on the 12th that it will invest 125.3 billion won, a 75% increase from last year, to become a leading country in artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductors this year.
AI Semiconductor (NPU) is a high-performance, low-power system semiconductor specialized in AI implementation such as learning and inference. It is explained that it can create a new market by converging with various industrial fields such as mobile, automobile, and home appliance as the core infrastructure of digital new deal such as digital dam.
Since last year, the government has been releasing policies to preoccupy the AI semiconductor market, such as establishing a mid- to long-term development strategy with relevant ministries. The goal is to nurture it as a’second DRAM’ by 2030, accounting for 20% of the global market.
This year’s support project consisted of 13 projects in three areas, including core technology development (R&D) support, fostering innovative companies, and establishing industrial foundations.
The core technology development aims to support the entire R&D cycle, such as the development of source technology, commercial application technology development, and demonstration necessary for each stage of growth of AI semiconductor companies. In particular, the R&D project to preempt PIM (Processing in Memory) semiconductor technology that integrates memory and processor is promoted in stages. In order for fabless companies (semiconductor design companies) to commercialize their products early, the support for industry-academia-research cooperation application technology development, such as transfer of original technology owned by research institutes and universities, and manpower support, is also expanded.
In order to foster innovative companies, 8 start-ups, small and medium-sized, and venture fabless companies are selected to provide customized and focused support such as microprocess conversion, new design asset development and utilization, and software optimization. Minister of Science and Technology Choi Ki-young said, “If last year laid the foundation for the breakthrough development of the AI semiconductor industry, this year we will fully implement policies such as fostering large R&D and innovative companies, human resource training projects, and creating an initial market in connection with the digital new deal.” “We will make Korea a leading country in the field of not only memory semiconductors but also AI semiconductors.”
Reporter Seung-Woo Lee [email protected]
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