South Korea to spend $1T on more memory chip production and humanoid robots
South Korea’s government and top tech companies are committing $1 trillion to several flagship megaprojects that could bolster global memory chip supply, build new AI data centers and spur commercial deployment of humanoid robots by 2028. The announcement comes as South Korean companies such as Samsung and SK Hynix have enjoyed record profits and stock valuations due to the AI industry’s demand for memory chips—with the subsequent supply strain leading to memory chip shortages and higher prices
South Korea's government and major tech companies are committing $1 trillion to three major projects: expanding memory chip production, building AI data centers, and developing commercial humanoid robots by 2028. The investment follows record profits for South Korean chipmakers due to AI industry demand, which has created global memory chip shortages and higher consumer electronics prices. The government frames semiconductors, physical AI, and AI data centers as critical to maintaining competitive advantage, though the plans face resistance from labor unions concerned about job displacement from robots and public debate over whether chipmakers should share their AI-boom profits more broadly.
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