South Korea has established a cutting-edge high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure in Indonesia to bolster artificial intelligence (AI) research and development efforts.
The Ministry of Science and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Thursday that they inaugurated the HPC infrastructure at the Indonesian Research and Innovation Agency. This initiative is part of the Korea-The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Digital Cooperation Project, implemented in collaboration with the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI).
HPC is a crucial infrastructure for large-scale data analysis and training ultra-large AI models. The development of AI models and scientific research demands computational resources capable of processing vast amounts of data at high speeds.
The newly installed infrastructure boasts a supercomputer with a performance capacity of approximately 4.2 petaflops (PF). To put this in perspective, one PF can execute one quadrillion calculations per second.
Officials at the Ministry of Science and ICT are optimistic that this infrastructure will significantly expand the data utilization ecosystem across Indonesia and the broader ASEAN region.
The Korea-ASEAN Cooperation Fund (AKCF) is backing this ambitious project with a substantial investment of 10 million USD over a four-year period from 2024 to 2028.
The South Korean government’s commitment extends beyond merely installing equipment. They plan to provide comprehensive training for local operational personnel. By 2028, the goal is to support about 160 individuals through specialized training programs and technical education, empowering ASEAN to independently operate and advance its HPC infrastructure.
As part of this initiative, KISTI will also adapt and implement its National Science and Technology Knowledge Information Service (NTIS) platform for local use. This platform aims to provide a robust foundation for the systematic management and utilization of research information and scientific data.
The project showcases a range of domestic technologies, including HPC software and solutions, locally produced AI semiconductors, and advanced security systems.
For South Korean AI and digital firms, participation in these ASEAN public infrastructure projects represents a significant milestone. It provides them with valuable experience and a foothold for future expansion into these markets.
Kim Kyung-man, Director of the AI Policy Division at the Ministry of Science and ICT, emphasized the significance of this development: The launch of the HPC infrastructure in Indonesia exemplifies the commitment to the Korea-ASEAN CSP vision. It’s sharing Korea’s AI innovation capabilities with the ASEAN partners, fostering mutual growth. Moving forward, it’ll continue to provide robust policy support for post-implementation collaboration, including technology exchanges and joint research initiatives. The aim is to enhance Korea’s digital influence in the ASEAN region and spearhead future multilateral AI cooperation efforts.