SNU and NVIDIA to Pursue Comprehensive Partnership Spanning Joint Research, Talent Development, Education and AI Infrastructure

- Establishment of an SNU-NVIDIA AI Technology Center (NVAITC) Joint Lab
- Synergies extending to Physical AI and development of an AI hub at the Siheung Campus

Seoul National University (President Honglim Ryu) announced on Friday, July 24, that it is working with NVIDIA to establish Korea's first multi-year, multidisciplinary, integrated NVIDIA AI Technology Center (NVAITC) Joint Lab at the university.

The initiative was led by the SNU AI Institute (AIIS) and Robotics Institute (RI) and calls for the establishment and operation of a provisionally named 'SNU-NVAITC Joint Lab,' as part of NVIDIA's global university collaboration network, the NVIDIA AI Technology Center (NVAITC).

The two institutions agreed to: identify and support joint projects in Physical AI and robotics, accelerated computing, semiconductors, and related areas; promote mutual exchanges among SNU faculty and students and NVIDIA researchers; provide SNU students with internships, mentoring and NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute (DLI) courses; and leverage AI infrastructure at the Siheung Campus and pursue technical exchanges to support the development of a national Sovereign AI testbed.

The NVAITC Joint Lab is significant as one of Korea's leading university partnerships spanning joint research, talent exchange, education and AI infrastructure development. While some Korean universities have previously collaborated with NVIDIA on individual courses or talent development, SNU is establishing a multi-year joint lab that integrates research, talent, education and infrastructure under a single governance framework.

Jensen Huang Visited SNU in June to Engage Directly with Students

The agreement comes about six weeks after NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang visited the SNU AI Institute and Robotics Institute on Monday, June 8. During the visit, Huang attended the 'Build-a-Claw @ SNU' event at the Haedong Advanced Engineering Building, where he emphasized the possibilities of the AI era and the spirit of innovation. The visit by the chief executive of a global AI and semiconductor leader to engage directly with students is seen as a symbolic example of NVIDIA's recognition of SNU as a key strategic partner.

From Joint Physical AI Research to Startups and Industry Adoption

SNU and NVIDIA will identify joint research projects in areas of mutual interest, including robotics and Physical AI, foundation models, AI infrastructure and semiconductors, and AI for science and medicine. In particular, they will actively explore pathways to bring joint research outcomes into real-world industry through deployment, startup incubation and industry adoption. The initiative reflects an intention to go beyond research exchange and connect SNU's research capabilities directly to innovation in the national economy and industrial sector.

Linking the Siheung Campus AI Hub to a National Sovereign AI Testbed

A notable component of the agreement is collaboration on AI infrastructure. The two parties will explore infrastructure utilization, technology exchange and strategic collaboration in connection with the AI hub initiative underway at SNU's Siheung Campus. Ultimately aimed at supporting a national Sovereign AI testbed, the NVAITC joint lab is expected to have significance beyond industry-academic collaboration by helping strengthen Korea's national AI competitiveness.

Deepening People-to-People Exchange, from Talent Development to Reciprocal Faculty and Student Visits

The two institutions will create internship and industry project opportunities for SNU undergraduate and graduate students, with students from the newly established Kim Jae-chul AI Class and the College of Engineering's Innovative Talent Program to receive priority consideration. Drawing on its experience operating student ambassador programs, NVIDIA will support regular online and in-person mentoring and office hours, and the parties will also consider introducing student travel grants and research grants. They also plan to expand reciprocal visits and exchanges among faculty, students and NVIDIA researchers, creating an environment on campus where students and faculty can engage directly with world-class AI researchers.

SNU Poised to Emerge as a Global AI Hub

SNU expects the NVAITC joint lab to help it emerge as one of Asia's leading AI research centers. With the addition of an NVAITC joint lab with NVIDIA, SNU will further solidify its position as a key hub in the global AI and robotics research ecosystem, extending its reach beyond Korea.

President Honglim Ryu said, "This agreement will bring together SNU's long-standing strengths in basic and applied research with a world-class industry partner, creating an opportunity to deliver tangible impact across Korea's AI industry." He added, "Through this collaboration, we will create a meaningful turning point for SNU to become a global AI research hub."