South Korea is aggressively pursuing AI independence, challenging the dominance of companies like OpenAI and Google. The nation is investing heavily in developing its own large language models (LLMs) through a collaborative effort involving major tech corporations such as LG and SK Telecom. This initiative aims to reduce reliance on foreign technology and foster AI innovation tailored to local needs, values, and regulations.
Leading this charge, LG is refining its Exaone model for enterprise applications, while SK Telecom focuses on real-time processing for telecom services. SK Telecom has been working on its LLMs since 2018 and has released the AX 3.1 Lite, a mobile-friendly Korean LLM. The government is providing substantial funding and policy support, viewing AI as a national priority to safeguard economic and security interests. By leveraging its strengths in hardware, such as memory chips from Samsung and SK Hynix, South Korea aims to achieve cost-effective AI solutions.
This push for AI sovereignty reflects a long-term strategy rooted in preserving the Korean language and culture. The goal is to create AI that understands and integrates with Korean context, offering alternatives to U.S.-dominated tools. The government plans to evaluate the progress of the companies every six months.
