Korean Semiconductor Technology and UAE Investment Power Combine... AI Alliance in Full Swing

AI Infrastructure and Semiconductor Investment Forum Held

Bilateral Business Cooperation and Joint Global Expansion Discussed

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Ministry of Science and ICT, and the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy Committee have held an investment forum aimed at expanding artificial intelligence (AI) cooperation with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), moving to strengthen strategic collaboration in AI infrastructure and semiconductors. The plan is to combine the UAE's large-scale investment capabilities with Korea's competitiveness in AI semiconductors and manufacturing, accelerating efforts to target the global AI market.

On May 13, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced that, together with the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National AI Strategy Committee, it held the "Korea-UAE AI Infrastructure and Semiconductor Investment Forum" at the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas in Gangnam, Seoul.

This forum is a follow-up to the joint government-private working group formed during the UAE state visit in November last year. The two countries have been discussing ways to cooperate across the overall AI ecosystem, including AI infrastructure, AI models, and services, and organized this event to translate those discussions into concrete investments and business partnerships.

The forum featured a high-level panel discussion, business presentations by Korean companies, business matching, and networking sessions under the theme "Korea-UAE Strategic Alliance For AI & Semiconductor."

During high-level meetings, both sides agreed that global AI competition is rapidly shifting to strategic competition at the national level, and confirmed the need to establish a strategic partnership framework for developing the AI ecosystem.

The subsequent panel discussion focused on key topics such as building low-power, high-efficiency AI infrastructure using NPU (Neural Processing Unit)-based AI semiconductors and developing AI model services based on each country's native language. There was particular interest in ways to connect Korea's strengths in AI semiconductors, data centers, and manufacturing with the UAE's large-scale investment and project execution capabilities.

In the afternoon session, Korean companies are scheduled to introduce their business models and technological competitiveness through investment presentations in the fields of AI semiconductors, AI infrastructure, and AI technology. Business consultations and networking between companies from both countries will follow, where they plan to discuss specific possibilities for investment cooperation.

The government intends to use this forum as a starting point to move bilateral cooperation beyond mere exchanges, aiming to achieve tangible results such as joint projects and entering overseas markets together.

Kim Sungyeol, Director General for Industrial Growth at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, said, "Competitiveness in the AI era is secured not only by building AI infrastructure but also by having the capability to apply it in industrial settings. By combining the UAE's strategic investment capabilities with Korea's strengths in AI semiconductors, data centers, and manufacturing, we will broaden the scope of cooperation to the global market."