Minister of Science and ICT Bae Kyung-hoon speaks throughout a presentation for the national synthetic intelligence foundation model project at Coex in southern Seoul, Dec. 30, 2025. Yonhap
The Ministry of Science and ICT stated Friday it has chosen a consortium led by Motif Technologies as an extra participant within the government-led project to develop homegrown synthetic intelligence (AI) foundation fashions.
The newly admitted group — which incorporates the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology — will be part of the three beforehand shortlisted consortia led by SK Telecom, LG AI Research and Upstage.
Last month, the ministry superior these three groups to the second spherical after eliminating two others led by Naver Cloud and NC AI within the first-stage analysis.
The preliminary evaluation examined benchmark efficiency, professional assessment and consumer expertise, with technological originality serving as a key requirement. The ministry stated Naver Cloud failed to satisfy the factors for growing a totally impartial model structure educated from scratch, whereas NC AI additionally didn’t advance.
Upon asserting the outcomes, the federal government stated it could recruit one further consortium to fill the fourth slot, as solely three groups had certified regardless of the unique plan to advance 4.
An AI foundation model refers to a large-scale system educated on intensive information that may be tailored for a variety of downstream functions. The authorities is fostering home fashions as a part of its technique to grow to be one of many world’s high three AI powerhouses.
“The consortium was recognized for its experience in designing AI models based on an independent architecture and for achieving performance competitive with global models despite limited data resources,” Kim Kyung-man, director basic for AI coverage on the ministry, stated throughout a press briefing.
The solely different applicant for the extra slot was a consortium led by Trillion Labs, whereas Naver Cloud and NC AI selected to not reapply regardless of being eligible.
All 4 groups will obtain authorities assist, together with entry to graphics processing models, information and different infrastructure required for large-scale AI coaching, the ministry stated.
Science Minister Bae Kyung-hoon emphasised that international AI leaders typically emerge from comparatively small organizations.
“Major tech companies such as OpenAI and Anthropic were not large and globally recognized organizations from the start,” Bae stated. “The government will spare no efforts in building a broader and more competitive AI ecosystem through the challenges undertaken by participating companies.”
The authorities plans to pick out two winners by the tip of the 12 months. The chosen groups will proceed to obtain state assist to advance Korea’s sovereign AI capabilities.