The Ministry of Science and Technology and Information and Communication has decided to invest 125.3 billion won this year for the artificial intelligence semiconductor support project. As a follow-up to the AI semiconductor development strategy last year, the number of support projects has also increased from 9 to 13 this year.
The goal is to nurture it as the second DRAM. It is a policy to make active policy efforts to develop NPU specialized for AI implementation with a goal of 20% global market share by 2030.
This year’s support projects by the Ministry of Science and ICT consisted of 13 projects in three areas, including core technology R&D support, fostering innovative companies, and establishing industrial foundations. In addition to the development of new concept PIM semiconductors, four new projects are planned to be promoted, including software capability enhancement, domestic semiconductor demonstration support, and fostering of innovative companies.
■ Support R&D for each stage of growth of AI semiconductor companies
First of all, in the NPU field, we are trying to secure original technology. With the goal of securing the world’s best AI semiconductor technology, we will continue to support design element process technology innovation related to large-scale R&D projects that have started last year and invest KRW 1 trillion over the next 10 years.
In addition, 19 projects, including the development of new device technology for brain neuro-simulation, will be newly supported.
In the PIM field, R&D projects to preoccupy a new concept semiconductor technology that integrates storage and computation using memory semiconductor capabilities will also be promoted in stages.
The plan is to plan and promote a 1 trillion won preliminary feasibility study project to secure super-differential technology after the leading project to preoccupy the initial market.
Following the initial technology R&D, it will develop technologies for commercialization.
In order for fabless companies to commercialize their products early, we will expand support for industry-academia-research cooperation application technology development, such as technology transfer and manpower support for R&D source technologies owned by research centers and universities.
In addition, it is planning to create initial market demand by introducing AI semiconductor technologies and products developed in Korea to public private data centers and digital new deal projects.
■ Focus on fostering AI semiconductor innovative companies
To foster innovative companies that will lead the AI semiconductor market, 8 start-ups and small and medium-sized venture fabless companies are selected. A new project will be established to resolve technical difficulties through customized intensive support such as micro-process conversion, new design asset development and utilization, and software optimization.
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.
Projects to cultivate AI semiconductor design personnel will also be promoted.
Three additional centers for training AI and system semiconductor research personnel will be installed in the university. It will attract top-notch talents such as PhDs residing overseas, and open’Artificial Intelligence Semiconductor related courses’ at the Graduate School of Artificial Intelligence.
The Ministry of Science and ICT plans to continue to collaborate with the next-generation intelligent semiconductor project group launched last year and the artificial intelligence semiconductor forum composed of industry-academia-research experts to systematically manage and improve the performance of large-scale projects that are being promoted.
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Minister of Science and Technology Choi Ki-young said, “Last year was a year focused on laying the foundation for the groundbreaking development of the artificial intelligence semiconductor industry through the establishment of mid-to-long-term development strategies and core technology development R&D planning and launch.”
“This year, we will fully implement the policies established last year, such as fostering large R&D and innovative companies, nurturing human resources, and creating an initial market in connection with the digital new deal, so that Korea will become a leading country in the field of artificial intelligence semiconductors as well as memory semiconductors. We will realize a comprehensive semiconductor powerhouse in 2030.”