Promotion of AI Semiconductor Commercialization Technology Development... "Leap to No.1 in System Semiconductor"

Ministry of Industry Launches 45 Projects with 91 Companies, 29 Universities, and 8 Research Institutes
"Realizing Digital New Deal, Responding to Post-Corona, and Leading as No.1 System Semiconductor Nation"

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The government announced on the 3rd that it has completed the selection of institutions to carry out industry-academia-research cooperation projects aimed at securing core technologies such as world-class industrial artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductors and atomic-level fine process technology. This comes about 1 year and 4 months after announcing the 'System Semiconductor Vision and 5 Strategies' on April 30 last year, targeting the leap to a comprehensive semiconductor powerhouse by 2030.

◆Goal to Restructure Semiconductor Industry from Memory to Non-Memory

Source: Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) stated that it will fully launch all 45 projects under the next-generation intelligent semiconductor technology development program. This project is jointly promoted by MOTIE and the Ministry of Science and ICT. A total of 46.7 billion KRW will be invested this year, with a combined public-private investment of 521.6 billion KRW (427.7 billion KRW in government funds) planned over the next seven years.

The goal is to shift the semiconductor industry structure from memory-centric to non-memory-centric. The core task is the development of equipment and components for fine processes below 10 nanometers. This is essential for the commercialization of AI semiconductors, development of system semiconductor technologies, and strengthening semiconductor manufacturing competitiveness.

The detailed subfields of projects starting technology development this year include ▲AI semiconductors for future vehicles ▲AI semiconductors for Internet of Things (IoT) home appliances ▲bio system semiconductors ▲robot system semiconductors ▲public system semiconductors (including energy) ▲advanced manufacturing technologies for next-generation intelligent semiconductors.

◆Focused Investment in Future Vehicle and IoT AI Semiconductors, Bio System Semiconductor Projects

Source: Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

First, 9.3 billion KRW will be supported for 10 AI semiconductor technology development projects for future vehicles this year. These projects aim to develop AI semiconductors for autonomous vehicles. Representative projects include developing driving assistance AI semiconductors (NPU) and safety operation support chips such as those for maintaining safe distances between vehicles. The NPU is a semiconductor capable of parallel processing large-scale computations.

Source: Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

9.2 billion KRW will be invested in 8 AI semiconductor technology development projects for IoT home appliances. With the recent expansion of the home economy market due to the COVID-19 pandemic, interest in AI semiconductors for IoT home appliances has increased. Major projects include AI semiconductors for ultra-low power lightweight edge devices and chips supporting voice recognition operation for smart home appliances.

Source: Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

3.4 billion KRW will be supported for 4 bio system semiconductor projects. The goal is to develop system semiconductor technologies applicable to home self-diagnosis kits, a digital quarantine tool necessary for post-COVID-19 response. A representative project is the development of semiconductors that detect pediatric diabetes without blood sampling.

◆Minister of Industry: "Government, Industry, Academia, and Research Must Unite Efforts on AI Semiconductors"

Source: Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

Additionally, a total of 22.7 billion KRW will be invested in ▲2 robot system semiconductor projects (2 billion KRW) ▲3 public system semiconductor projects (3.3 billion KRW) ▲18 advanced manufacturing technology projects for next-generation intelligent semiconductors (17.4 billion KRW).

Source: Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

Seong Yun-mo, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, said, "System semiconductors are one of the three major new industries (Big3) that will secure our future livelihood, and AI semiconductors, a type of system semiconductor, are key components supporting the Digital New Deal. It is a time when not only the government but also industry, academia, and research must unite their efforts in AI semiconductor development for South Korea to leap to a comprehensive semiconductor powerhouse."

Jung Yang-ho, President of the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology, said, "Although technology development in the AI semiconductor sector has lagged behind global companies, we expect to overcome the technology gap based on the genes that have overcome significant difficulties so far. We will provide wholehearted support as facilitators, not managers."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.