Nvidia announces strategic AI partnerships with six major South Korean companies, including plans for memory chip expansion and a gigawatt-scale AI data center by 2027.

What happened: Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang announced partnerships with six South Korean companies on June 8 following a visit to the country. The partnerships focus on advanced memory chips, human-like robots, self-driving cars, and massive AI data centers. SK Hynix will remain Nvidia's largest memory partner with procurement predicted to rise well above current multi-billion-dollar levels. SK Telecom intends to build a gigawatt-scale AI cloud using Nvidia technology by 2027. Nvidia also established relationships with LG Group for humanoid robotics and data center infrastructure, and plans to build an AI Valley data center in Saemangeum.

Why it matters: These deals signal Nvidia's strategy to secure long-term supply relationships and expand its footprint in a major tech market. The partnership with SK Hynix appears focused on custom memory chips tailored to specific AI systems, according to an analyst at NH Investment & Securities, suggesting Nvidia is moving beyond generic components to optimize its AI infrastructure offerings.

What to watch: The completion of SK Telecom's gigawatt-scale AI cloud project is slated for 2027, which represents a significant scale of infrastructure investment in the region. This timeframe indicates when the impact of these partnerships on Nvidia's business should become measurable.