(Yonhap)

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South Korea will join the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) effort to build a massive artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure as part of the U.S.-backed Stargate Project.

The Ministry of Science and ICT, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and the National AI Strategy Committee on Tuesday announced bilateral cooperation centered on Korea’s participation in the UAE Stargate project, the world’s largest AI infrastructure initiative, coinciding with President Lee Jae-myung’s state visit to the UAE.

The UAE project calls for building an AI data-center cluster of up to 5 gigawatts (GW) in Abu Dhabi, with the first 200-megawatt (MW) cluster set to begin operations next year. The initial investment exceeds 30 trillion won ($20.54 billion).

The Korean government said strategic cooperation with major countries is essential to secure leadership in global AI competition, describing the UAE partnership in AI and energy as an important first step.

The agreement marks the first time Korea’s accumulated AI capabilities will be expanded into overseas markets under a national strategy.

The National AI Strategy Committee and Abu Dhabi’s AI and Advanced Technology Council (AIATC) signed a strategic framework agreement to deepen comprehensive bilateral collaboration.

Both sides will work together on AI investment and infrastructure development, expansion of AI supply chains, acceleration of AI and advanced-technology adoption, and AI research and development.

The two countries also agreed to pursue large joint projects for mutual benefit.

Their first initiative is an energy-mix-based hyperscale AI data-center project that will combine nuclear, gas, and renewable energy to build a stable power grid, while also widening cooperation in semiconductor supply chains.

The Ministry of Science and ICT expects the project to create broader global opportunities for Korean AI startups and companies with data-center operating experience.

The two countries will also promote port and logistics projects incorporating AI technologies. By combining Korea’s experience with fully automated terminal operations and data-driven physical AI, they aim to develop a more efficient and intelligent port system.

Busan Port and Abu Dhabi’s Khalifa Port will serve as testbeds for demonstrations and verification.

The Ministry of Science and ICT also signed a memorandum of understanding with the UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence to support exchanges among AI research institutes, companies, and experts, and to encourage private-sector investment.

The two countries plan to establish a director-level AI policy consultative body to refine cooperation tasks and meet on a regular basis.