South Korea Bets Big on Memory Chips and Humanoid Robots
South Korea is about to make a giant leap in the tech race, investing no less than $1 trillion in megaprojects that promise to revolutionize memory chip production and humanoid robotics. The South Korean government, along with tech giants like Samsung and SK Hynix, is committed to strengthening the global supply of memory chips, building new AI data centers, and boosting the commercial use of humanoid robots by 2028.
What’s behind this movement? It’s simple: the demand from the artificial intelligence industry for memory chips is on the rise, and with that, the prices of consumer electronics are too. Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor Company is racing to mass-produce humanoid robots, developed by its subsidiary Boston Dynamics, which could take on arduous tasks in automotive factories and other workplaces.
The Triad of Technological Advancement
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung emphasized the importance of securing the core elements of AI before any other country. For him, semiconductors, physical AI, and AI data centers are the tripod for a great leap forward. However, this race to the future does not come without controversies. The country’s chip giants are under scrutiny for their astronomical profits during the AI boom, and there are proposals for redistributing this wealth.
The most expensive investment involves building new chip factories, with Samsung and SK Hynix committing $585 billion. The goal is to double DRAM memory production in five years. However, global consumers may have to wait a bit longer to see prices drop, as building new factories is a time-consuming process.
Data Centers and Energy Demand
Another major investment, amounting to $357 billion, is directed towards constructing AI data centers in various provinces of the country. But there’s a challenge: these facilities require a substantial amount of electricity and water to operate. The government is working to ensure sufficient energy, turning to renewable and nuclear sources, in addition to fossil fuels.
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