Google DeepMind and South Korea to Establish First-of-its-Kind AI Campus in Seoul
South Korea requests 10 DeepMind engineers for new AI campus — Hassabis considers.
South Korea and Google DeepMind have agreed to establish a first-of-its-kind AI campus in Seoul, according to presidential policy adviser Kim Yong-beom. President Lee Jae Myung met with DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis, and the Science Ministry signed a memorandum of understanding. South Korea requested that Google send at least 10 engineers from US headquarters to the campus, and Hassabis said he would consider it. The campus will be the first such facility globally for Google, aimed at fostering cooperation with local engineers and startups.
During the meeting, Lee raised the need for a base wage in case of job losses caused by AI, while Hassabis emphasized training through internships and programs at DeepMind's AI hub. Hassabis expressed interest in deepening partnerships with Korean companies including Samsung, SK Hynix, Hyundai's Boston Dynamics, and LG, and launching new joint projects. He described South Korea as a "great industrial base" across AI areas from chips to robotics. Hassabis also referenced the historic AlphaGo match against Lee Sedol a decade ago, which sparked modern AI advances including AlphaFold for protein folding.
- First Google AI campus globally, located in Seoul, under a new MOU between South Korea and DeepMind.
- South Korea requested at least 10 DeepMind engineers from the US; Hassabis said he would consider.
- Partnerships planned with Samsung, SK Hynix, LG, and Hyundai's Boston Dynamics for joint projects.
Why It Matters
Strengthens South Korea's AI talent pipeline and deepens collaboration with a global AI leader.