Naver has joined forces with NVIDIA to construct a gigawatt (GW) scale global artificial intelligence (AI) factory. This collaboration aims to create a large-scale AI infrastructure that can integrate operations from AI models to semiconductors and software, addressing the sovereign AI needs of various countries.
The partnership will also accelerate collaboration in AI models and physical AI. As the first Korean company to join the NVIDIA Nemotron Alliance, Naver will work with NVIDIA to develop an open frontier AI model and enhance robotics collaboration.
On Monday, Naver’s Board Chairman Lee Hae-jin met with NVIDIA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jensen Huang at Naver’s headquarters in Bundang, Seongnam, to discuss this business collaboration.
Huang praised Naver’s technological prowess in cloud computing, software, and AI, stating that the partnership was formed due to Naver’s world-class status as an AI developer.
Comprehensive AI Collaboration: From Models to Cloud and Robotics
Huang outlined three key areas of cooperation with Naver: the AI frontier model based on the Nemotron Alliance, AI cloud infrastructure, and robotics.
He announced that NVIDIA’s Frontier AI Lab will collaborate with Naver to build an open frontier AI model as part of the Nemotron Alliance. Naver had previously become the first Korean company to join this global alliance, gaining access to NVIDIA’s open AI foundation model, Nemotron.
The companies also revealed plans to build a massive AI cloud infrastructure. They will establish a global AI factory centered around Naver’s hyperscale data center, Gak Sejong. The ultimate goal is to scale up to 1 GW, approximately four times the maximum capacity of Gak Sejong.
The partnership will also accelerate advancements in robotics. Huang shared his experience of enjoying an iced coffee served by a robot at Naver’s headquarters, emphasizing that this represents the future of business and that both companies will work together to accelerate such innovations.
Lee Hae-jin: Naver Uniquely Positioned to Meet Surging AI Demand
Naver highlighted its ability to immediately meet the rapidly growing AI demand as a key differentiator from other domestic companies, such as SK, which have also announced collaborations with NVIDIA on AI factories.
Chairman Lee stated that Naver is one of the few companies globally to have built NVIDIA’s SuperPOD supercomputing infrastructure and operates its own data centers. They’re uniquely positioned to immediately fulfill the rapidly increasing demand for graphic processing units (GPUs) and AI capabilities.
Within the NVIDIA Nemotron Alliance, Naver will focus on developing AI models tailored to the Korean language and culture, adapting them for its services.
Huang remarked that Naver has exceptional expertise in developing AI models and advancing frontier technologies. By combining the strengths to create the first frontier model, Naver will be able to refine and enhance it for cloud computing, robotics, and its own services.
Jensen Huang and Lee Hae-jin Surprise Fans with Live Stream
At approximately 4:11 p.m. (Korean time), Chairman Lee and CEO Huang made an unexpected appearance on Naver’s streaming platform, CHZZK, to host a special live event. CHZZK is a key platform in Naver’s strategy to expand its presence in the streaming market, with a focus on gaming and sports content starting in 2024.
The two leaders appeared in a virtually recreated LCK stadium, CHZZK LoL Park, expressing their enthusiasm for esports. Within just five minutes of the broadcast, they attracted 57,000 concurrent viewers.
During the live stream, CEO Huang drew parallels between gaming and business leadership, stating that key elements like teamwork, resource management, and strategy in gaming are essential when managing a company. He believes that esports champions possess all the qualities needed to become excellent CEOs.
To commemorate the meeting between the two leaders, Naver Webtoon unveiled a short comic created by the artist behind their popular series The Greatest Estate Developer. The comic, which depicted Lee and Huang, was met with enthusiastic cheers from the audience at the event.