Inside South Korea’s Ambitious Plan for the World’s Largest AI Data Center

South Korea is set to take a monumental step in the realm of technology with the approval of the world’s largest AI data centre, poised to be constructed in the picturesque Jeollanam-do province. This groundbreaking facility will boast an extraordinary capacity of 3 gigawatts, eclipsing the current hyperscale data centres operated by major tech powerhouses like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon.

In a remarkable partnership, Brian Koo, a member of the founding family of LG Electronics, has joined forces with the South Korean government to bring this ambitious vision to life. The commencement of construction for this cutting-edge AI data centre is slated for this year, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s technological advancement. Initially, the project is expected to generate a staggering $3.5 billion in annual revenue, with aspirations to escalate its overall worth to an incredible $35 billion.

Equipped with state-of-the-art AI computing capabilities, the facility is set to become a pivotal hub for next-generation digital services. Construction is projected to kick off in 2025, targeting completion by 2028, a timeline that hints at the rapid evolution of AI technologies on the horizon.

This colossal data centre will serve as a cornerstone for pioneering AI solutions, providing vital support to leading corporations, cloud computing enterprises, and hyperscale data centre operators from around the globe. The initiative is projected to create approximately 10,000 jobs across various fields, including energy supply and storage, renewable energy production, equipment supply, and research and development—signifying a considerable boost to the local economy.

As the global data centre market is anticipated to soar to a staggering $438.3 billion by 2030, driven by the relentless demand for AI and cloud computing technologies, South Korea’s new mega data centre is poised to play an instrumental role in sculpting the future of digital infrastructure. It will facilitate vital AI research, enable high-performance computing, and support extensive data processing, propelling the nation into the forefront of technological innovation.

Amidst the escalating demand for AI-driven data centres, nations are fiercely competing to invest in high-tech infrastructure. For instance, Meta has unveiled a bold $10 billion investment in a new data centre in the United States; however, it is projected to generate a mere 500 direct jobs—a stark contrast to the ambitious job creation forecast associated with South Korea’s mega project.

The strategic decision to establish the data centre in the Jeollanam-do province is particularly noteworthy. It reflects a consistent and forward-thinking approach by the South Korean government, aimed at promoting the development of data centres beyond the central metropolitan areas, thereby fostering regional growth and technological dispersion across the country.