Korea Launches AIDC Alliance, Plans to Build 18.4GW AI Data Center Infrastructure

Odaily News The Ministry of Science and ICT and other relevant government agencies, together with industry players, established the AIDC Alliance on July 29, with plans to cultivate Korea's AI data center ecosystem as a national strategic industry. The initiative includes building 18.4GW of AIDC infrastructure, cross-ministerial financial support, and the formation of a working group to promote packaged exports for global industrialization. Morgan Stanley recently defined AI infrastructure as a system comprising seven value chain segments: semiconductor processes, NPUs, CXL and memory server components, server integration, networking, internal power and liquid cooling, and external power and grid infrastructure. The Korean proposal suggests placing government-funded research institutions at the center of AIDC full-stack technology development and comprehensive pilot projects, with organizations such as KIST, ETRI, KISTI, KIMM, KERI, and KIER covering areas including semiconductors, AI chips, supercomputing, liquid cooling, power grids, and distributed power generation. The proposal also recommends designating the "K-AIDC Full-Stack Integrated Pilot Project" as the first national strategic research task following the abolition of the PBS system, aiming to develop a liquid-cooled, NPU-integrated, grid-connected modular AIDC reference system with over 50% domestic NPU adoption within three years, while establishing a nationally certified pilot center.