South Korea plans eight homegrown on-device AI chips by 2030
South Korea unveiled a 800.2 billion won roadmap to develop eight domestic on-device AI chips and two semiconductor design IPs by 2030, with Samsung providing critical foundry support.
The government initiative aims to develop AI capabilities that run directly on devices rather than relying on distant servers. The target applications span autonomous vehicles, smart home appliances, humanoid robots and drones, reflecting South Korea's ambition to lead in specialized artificial intelligence hardware.
The K-On-Device AI Semiconductor Technology Development Project was announced on November 12, 2026, with a budget of approximately $578–600 million. This funding will support the development and validation of eight locally produced AI chips and two chip design intellectual property assets by the end of the decade.
Samsung's Critical Role
Samsung Electronics has agreed to provide foundry support, including access to its advanced 2-nanometer process technology. The company is committing 21 prototype production slots in 2027, with three specifically dedicated to 2nm-class processes, ensuring domestic companies can produce AI chip prototypes on schedule.
Having Samsung commit 21 prototype slots in 2027 gives these firms a defined path from drawing board to physical chip.
National Strategy
This project is part of South Korea's broader "Three Mega Projects" initiative, which simultaneously targets semiconductors, AI and robotics. It builds on earlier 2026 government efforts and a large-scale public-private partnership led by Samsung and SK Group.
The roadmap emphasizes early commercial application rather than purely theoretical research, pushing for chips that get tested in actual products. This approach signals a shift toward application-specific semiconductors tailored for particular tasks rather than general-purpose processors.
Key milestones to watch include whether the 2027 prototype runs occur as scheduled, which fabless firms secure the limited 2nm slots and what products they target, and whether all eight chips and two design IPs achieve validation by 2030.
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