Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said on Friday that robotics is poised to become South Korea’s next major growth industry, as he arrived in the country for his second visit in seven months, highlighting the strengthening partnership between Nvidia and Korean companies in semiconductors, robotics, and AI-powered manufacturing.
“Korea is one of the world’s leading manufacturing hubs, making it an ideal place to deploy the robotics and physical AI technologies we are developing for industrial applications,” Huang told reporters after arriving at Gimpo International Airport from Taiwan.
South Korea is a key Asian manufacturing powerhouse – home to major manufacturers of chips, electronics, cars and ships.
“The manufacturing of semiconductors will become increasingly robotics and increasingly AI-driven in the future, and so we have a great opportunity to partner with the semiconductor companies here as well,” said Huang.
Nvidia Strengthens Ties with Korean Industry
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.”
In his first stop, the Nvidia boss visited an internet cafe in Seoul and met with e-sports players, including gaming superstar Lee Sang-hyeok, known as “Faker.” His daughter Madison Huang accompanied him during the visit, wearing a uniform of the renowned T1 e-sports team.
He is also due to have a pork barbecue dinner in the evening at a restaurant in Seoul with LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won and Naver founder Lee Hae-jin, a person familiar with the matter said. The source wanted to remain anonymous because the plan is confidential.
“I love Korean barbecue,” he said. “I love Korean fried chicken.”
When asked about potential investments in Korea, he said: “Korea has many sectors to invest in. Robotics is going to be the next major sector here in Korea.”
“Korea is extraordinary at manufacturing, mechatronics, and also artificial intelligence,” he said. “The fusion of all of that technology is perfect robotics.”
Huang Engages with Korea
Huang also said he wants to make sure that his Korean suppliers are “aligned,” citing memory chips like traditional DRAM chips and advanced HBM chips.
Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix between them make about 70% of the memory needed for artificial intelligence chips like the ones Nvidia makes. And the country’s manufacturing strength puts it in a good position to be a key player in physical AI, where the technology is embedded in robots, cars and factories, analysts say.
He also said Nvidia had started hiring for its research and development centre in Korea.
“As soon as we have enough people here, then we’ll build a site,” he said.
(With inputs from Reuters)
