In a groundbreaking development for the technology sector, South Korea is poised to become home to the world's first large-scale data center entirely designed, constructed, and managed by artificial intelligence. The ambitious $35 billion project represents a significant milestone in the integration of AI into critical infrastructure development.
Project Concord: A New Era in Data Center Management
The revolutionary data center project, dubbed "Project Concord," is being developed through a partnership between investor group Stock Farm Road and Stanford University-backed AI developer Voltai. This collaboration marks the first time artificial intelligence will be integrated into every aspect of a data center's lifecycle—from initial design and construction to day-to-day operations.
Under this innovative arrangement, AI will serve as the primary decision-maker across all operations, including efficient management of critical resources like power and water consumption, and dynamically adapting to varying AI computing workloads. Human involvement will be limited to supervisory roles, with the AI systems taking charge of operational decisions.
Massive Scale and Powerful Backing
The data center's specifications are equally impressive in scale. The facility is projected to cost up to $35 billion upon completion and will pack an enormous 3 gigawatts of power. This power capacity is particularly noteworthy since it's rare for any single data center site globally to exceed 1 gigawatt of available power, which directly determines how many AI computing chips can be installed and operated.
The project enjoys substantial backing from prominent figures in the technology industry. Stock Farm Road is co-founded by Brian Koo, grandson of LG's founder, and Amin Badr-El-Din, founder and CEO of BADR Investments. Voltai, the Palo Alto-based AI developer, counts Stanford University and industry leaders including John Hennessy, chairman of Google-parent Alphabet, among its investors and advisors.
Alignment with South Korea's National Strategy
This ambitious project comes at a time when the South Korean government has been actively pushing to expand the country's computing infrastructure. The timing aligns perfectly with recent announcements from South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, who revealed in a budget speech that the government's AI-related spending would triple this year.
The data center will be constructed in South Jeolla Province and is scheduled for completion in 2028. This location choice reflects South Korea's broader strategy to distribute technological development beyond the traditional hubs and stimulate regional economic growth.
This pioneering approach to data center management could potentially set new global standards for efficiency, scalability, and operational intelligence in the rapidly expanding field of AI infrastructure. The success of Project Concord may well determine the future trajectory of how nations worldwide approach the development of critical computing resources in the age of artificial intelligence.
