Upstage, a South Korean AI startup, is collaborating with U.S. semiconductor company AMD to enhance the country’s independent artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem. On the 19th, Upstage's CEO Kim Sung-hoon met with AMD's CEO Lisa Su at the Four Seasons Hotel in Seoul, discussing various cooperation strategies. This partnership follows AMD's earlier strategic investment during Upstage's Series B funding round, highlighting the strong ties between the two companies.

As part of the collaboration, Upstage plans to utilize AMD's graphics processing units (GPUs) for a year to support the development of its proprietary language model, Sol. Furthermore, Upstage intends to incorporate AMD's GPUs into its ongoing government project aimed at securing independent AI technology, specifically for developing a national AI model. This move not only emphasizes the partnership's technological aspects but also reveals Upstage's ambition to play a pivotal role in South Korea's AI landscape.

Lisa Su’s visit to Upstage, following meetings with other major Korean corporations like Naver and Samsung, signifies AMD’s commitment to fostering relationships with local AI firms. She stressed that this collaboration would enhance South Korea's independent AI capabilities and provide the necessary performance, efficiency, and open ecosystem for accelerating AI innovation. This strategic partnership could significantly contribute to the growth and competitiveness of South Korea’s AI industry in the global market.