South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT received proposals from five companies for its graphics processing unit (GPU) procurement, build and operations support project.
The ministry set up the programme to lower barriers for private-sector AI efforts. The core plan is to select a private cloud service provider (CSP) that can secure the latest GPUs and build and operate them. The investment this year alone totals 2.08 trillion won. The chosen CSP can use the remaining resources for its own purposes, excluding some capacity that must be provided for public projects such as those involving industry, academia and research institutes.
Naver Cloud, Samsung SDS, KT Cloud, Coupang and Elice Group are reported to have taken part in the tender.
The ministry will next proceed with steps including a document eligibility review, presentation evaluations, on-site inspections of data centres and reviews and adjustments of project funding. It will carry out final selection of a provider and sign an agreement next month. The final winner will be announced after the agreement.
Jin-ho Lee
jhlee26@d-today.co.kr