Google to Establish 'AI Campus' in Korea Within the Year
Key Points
- 1Google is set to establish an AI campus in South Korea by year-end, following an MOU signed with the Ministry of Science and ICT for scientific and technological AI cooperation.
- 2This collaboration, involving Google DeepMind, will focus on joint AI research, talent development, responsible AI use, and expanding studies in life sciences, climate, and AI safety.
- 3The initiative aims to accelerate scientific discovery, foster AI innovation, and establish Korea as a global AI hub while ensuring responsible AI development.
Google DeepMind and the South Korean government, represented by the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on April 27, 2026, to establish an "AI Campus" in South Korea as early as within the year. The MOU was signed at the Seoul Four Seasons Hotel, the site of the 2016 AlphaGo vs. Lee Sedol match, by Bae Hyun-hoon, Deputy Prime Minister and MSIT Minister, and Demis Hassabis, co-founder and CEO of Google DeepMind.
The primary objectives of this collaboration are:
- Scientific and Technological AI Joint Research: This involves collaborative efforts in diverse scientific and technological fields, including life sciences, meteorology/climate, and AI for scientists. The partnership will leverage the National Science AI Research Center, operational from May, to facilitate joint research and researcher exchange. Key activities include the development and validation of AI models and tools, and the utilization of scientific data to accelerate discoveries.
- AI Talent Nurturing: Google plans to actively expand cooperation with academia, researchers, and startups. This includes offering internship opportunities to talented Korean AI individuals, allowing them to directly experience Google DeepMind's research environment. The AI Campus is anticipated to be located within Google's existing 'Google Startup Campus' in Gangnam, Seoul.
- Responsible AI Utilization: Both parties will explore cooperation in AI safety and governance. This involves joint research on safety frameworks and safeguards for the responsible development of AI technology. Specifically, discussions will be held with the AI Safety Research Institute (AI안전연구소) on establishing safety frameworks and testing methodologies to address AI risks.
Demis Hassabis, recognized for creating AlphaGo and for co-developing AlphaFold (an AI model for protein structure prediction, which earned him a co-shared Nobel Chemistry Prize in 2024), emphasized Korea's special significance to Google since the AlphaGo match. The collaboration aims to expand horizons in bio-innovation and weather prediction, while also contributing to the development of protection systems for responsible AI advancement. The South Korean government views this MOU as a pivotal step to accelerate AI innovation in science and technology (dubbed 'K-Moonshot') and to disseminate safe and responsible AI research and best practices. Discussions are also underway to foster South Korea as a global AI hub.