KAIST and Nvidia will build a $300 million joint research framework to develop agentic AI technology tailored to the Korean language and domestic industrial environments.

KAIST said on Thursday it will establish the "Nvidia-KAIST AI Joint Research Institute" at the Seoul campus of its Kim Jaechul Graduate School of AI with Nvidia and push ahead with joint research on core next-generation AI technologies.

The institute will serve as a research hub to develop agentic AI models and AI agent systems optimised for Korean and domestic industrial environments. It will also study next-generation AI with reasoning and planning capabilities and technology for cooperation and verification among multiple AI agents.

The two organisations will combine Nvidia's full-stack AI technology, the "Nvidia Nemotron" open model and computing infrastructure from domestic Nvidia cloud partners with KAIST researchers.

The cooperation will be pursued at a total scale of $300 million. Researchers at the institute will be able to use the latest Nvidia AI computing infrastructure through domestic Nvidia cloud partners. AI computing resources worth $50 million a year will be provided for the first 5 years.

The institute will support at least 10 KAIST researchers each year. Supported researchers will be offered internship opportunities at Nvidia. Nvidia also plans to hire outstanding Korean AI researchers for full-time research positions.

It will also set up a framework to apply research results to companies, public institutions and national AI systems so they do not remain only in academic research. The plan is to secure foundational AI technology reflecting the Korean language and industrial environments, and strengthen domestic AI technological sovereignty and industrial competitiveness.

The institute will be headed by Nvidia doctor Hyun-woo Kim (김현우), who is due to join KAIST's Kim Jaechul Graduate School of AI next month. Professor Kim will set the research direction and oversee joint research between KAIST researchers and Nvidia's global research organisation.

KAIST President Chung-sik Bae (배충식) said, "This is the starting point of a strategic partnership that combines world-class AI research capabilities and cutting-edge AI infrastructure." He added, "We will build a global AI research hub representing Korea and take the lead in securing foundational next-generation AI technologies and nurturing world-class talent."