Gyeongju: U.S. tech giant Nvidia Corp. is anticipated to supply artificial intelligence (AI) chips to major South Korean companies, including Samsung Electronics Co. and SK Group, as informed by sources on Wednesday. This development is expected to be a significant step in strengthening South Korea's position in the AI sector.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Nvidia's Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang is scheduled to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit in Gyeongju, a key business event occurring alongside the annual APEC leaders' summit. During this summit, Nvidia is expected to finalize supply agreements with Samsung Electronics Co., SK Group, Hyundai Motor Group, and Naver Corp. The announcements regarding these agreements are anticipated to be made public on Friday.
Huang is slated to have meetings in Seoul on Thursday with Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung and Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong. There are also speculations about SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won possibly joining these discussions. These meetings are seen as crucial for solidifying Nvidia's partnerships with these leading South Korean firms.
In a developers' event in Washington held the day before, Huang suggested there will be an upcoming announcement that will be well-received by South Koreans and U.S. President Donald Trump. This has fueled further expectations about the nature of the agreements to be disclosed.
An industry official noted that these contracts are poised to benefit the South Korean government, which has set its sights on becoming a leader in the AI industry. For Nvidia, the agreements represent an opportunity to expand its market reach and influence in the region.