The field of artificial intelligence (AI) in South Korea has areas of expertise, such as high-bandwidth memory (HBM), and areas that need to be overcome and challenged boldly (software). We need to invest aggressively in model and AI application areas and comprehensively cultivate the ecosystem.
Baek Jun-ho, CEO of FuriosaAI, said this at a special lecture titled 'Swallowing the World with AI Semiconductors' held at Sogang University on the 27th. The event was attended by Baek Jun-ho, Park Cheol-min, Executive Director of Samsung Electro-Mechanics, former Minister Park Young-sun, and former Deputy Minister Cha Jung-hoon.
The event began with a congratulatory speech from Sogang University President Shim Jong-hyeok. President Shim noted, "We are living in an era of great transformation where artificial intelligence is reshaping society and civilization," adding, "Universities must evolve beyond merely transmitting knowledge into a new ecosystem where technology and humanity, data and value, efficiency and the common good harmonize together."
Following this, CEO Baek delivered a special lecture, sharing his journey from school years to startup. He recounted his experiences with silicon computing during his studies in the United States and his involvement in chip design and development while working at AMD.
During the process of building his startup, Baek said he received many questions such as, 'Is AI semiconductor something a startup can do?' and 'Can we compete with North American corporations?' He emphasized, "While the semiconductor industry is capital-intensive when it grows, possessing consolidated human competitiveness is more critical at the startup level." He reinforced that "In the semiconductor market, the competitiveness and potential of startups are sufficient."
Baek also noted, "This year, North American big tech corporations have announced an investment of about 500 trillion won in AI computing," stating that companies with stronger AI capabilities will become winners in technological hegemony, and aggressive investments will continue for a while.
Park Cheol-min, Executive Director, delivered a lecture on glass substrates and semiconductor packaging. He stated, "Recently, discussions in the industry have been ongoing regarding glass substrates that are strong, consume less power, and dissipate heat better," adding, "While glass substrates have many advantages, the ecosystem for them has yet to be established, preventing us from enjoying their benefits." He emphasized, "It is important to innovate the industrial ecosystem."
Park also remarked, "Recently, the semiconductor packaging market is becoming important. In the past, foundries became half the price due to technological developments, but with recent advancements down to 7nm and 3nm, they have not become cheaper, and thus, the packaging that combines several chiplets into a single high-performance semiconductor is becoming more significant."
After the two speakers finished their lectures, a panel discussion with former Minister Park Young-sun, Executive Director Park Cheol-min, CEO Baek Jun-ho, and former Deputy Minister Cha Jung-hoon followed.
The panel discussed the direction South Korea should take regarding computing power, data, and algorithms, which are core elements of the AI industry. Former Deputy Minister Cha emphasized, "It has now become common sense that we must invest in AI," and added, "Forming a consensus among practitioners, policymakers, and political leaders in the government regarding this is as crucial as investing 100 trillion won."
As justification, former Deputy Minister Cha cited an instance in the mid-2010s when NVIDIA proposed a license for CUDA core technology to Samsung Electronics for about 15 billion won, but Samsung's high management rejected it, missing the opportunity. He said, "While all practitioners at the time agreed, the higher-ups opposed it," and warned, "If there is no alignment in awareness between the direction of the industry and the executing entities, even 100 trillion won will vanish like smoke."