AMD to open AI research center in South Korea

AMD plans to establish an AI research center in South Korea that would serve as a hub for collaboration among local companies, universities and research institutions, the company and the Ministry of Science and ICT said Monday. The center would support development of AI semiconductor software as part of a broader partnership signed Thursday.

The ministry said it signed a memorandum of understanding with AMD to cooperate in AI semiconductors and computing. The partnership is intended to connect AMD central processing units and graphics processing units with Korean neural processing units — chips designed primarily for AI inference.

The companies will test a heterogeneous computing system that combines different types of processors according to the requirements of individual AI services. The ministry said the project would help create an open computing ecosystem in which South Korean AI chipmakers and other technology companies could participate.

AMD recorded annual revenue of $34.6 billion in 2025, including $16.6 billion from its data center business. The company has also sought to expand its open AI ecosystem through its ROCm software platform and support for open technology standards.

The ministry and AMD will also pursue research cooperation in AI for science through South Korea’s National Science AI Research Center. AMD plans to provide high-performance computing resources, including processors, AI software and technical personnel, to support research in advanced science and technology.

“Securing an independent yet open AI computing infrastructure is essential for South Korea to become one of the world’s top three AI powers,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT Bae Kyung-hoon said. Bae said the partnership would strengthen the competitiveness of South Korea’s AI semiconductor industry and create a new cooperation model as global computing infrastructure evolves.

“Through this partnership with the ministry, AMD is bringing together our capabilities in high-performance computing, open software and global ecosystem partnerships to support South Korea’s future AI infrastructure,” AMD Chair and Chief Executive Officer Lisa Su said. Su said the two sides would seek to accelerate AI innovation and economic growth through technical cooperation, workforce development and an open AI ecosystem.