According to the CEO of Nvidia, robotics will be the next big industry in South Korea
On Friday, during his second visit to South Korea in seven months, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang declared that robotics would be the country’s next significant industry. This statement highlighted the company’s growing relationships with local businesses in the semiconductor industry as well as robotics and AI-driven manufacturing.
Major manufacturers of chips, electronics, cars, and ships are based in South Korea, an Asian industrial powerhouse. «Given that Korea is a global manufacturing hub, we can apply the robotics and physical AI technology we develop here to the industry,» Huang told the press after arriving at Gimpo International Airport on a flight from Taiwan. He predicted that robotics and artificial intelligence would play a bigger role in chip manufacturing. «Therefore, we have a great opportunity to collaborate with local semiconductor companies.»
Huang said he had meetings scheduled with Hyundai Motor, LG, SK Hynix, Samsung Electronics, and Naver during his trip.
«Did I bring any gifts for Korea? I brought a lot of business for Korea,» he said. «I have some surprises.»
At his first stop, the Nvidia executive visited a Seoul internet café and met with esports players, including gaming superstar Lee Sang-hyeok, known as «Faker.» His daughter, Madison Huang, accompanied him on the visit, wearing the uniform of the renowned esports team T1.
Later, Huang had Korean barbecue and drinks at a Seoul restaurant with Koo Kwang-mo, Chairman of LG Group; Chey Tae-won, Chairman of SK Group; and Lee Hae-jin, founder of Naver.
Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix together manufacture about 70% of the memory chips needed for artificial intelligence chips like those made by Nvidia.
“Of course, memory is limited, so we have to be smart about how we use it across all our systems,” Huang said when asked by Reuters about a SemiAnalysis report indicating that Nvidia would reduce SOCAMM capacity in its Vera Rubin system.
He also said that Nvidia had begun hiring staff for its research and development center in Seoul.
During his trip, Huang plans to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at a baseball game and appear on a television talk show.
