SK hynix, a major South Korean chipmaker, announced on Tuesday that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) to apply the university’s artificial intelligence (AI) technology-based solutions to the chipmaking process.
Under the MOU, SK hynix would provide KAIST with real-time generated data of its semiconductor-making process. KAIST would then analyze the information using its AI technology, helping the development of chipmaking processes advance.
Through video conferencing, SK hynix’s head of data transformation division, Song Chang-rock, met with the vice president for research at KAIST, Park Hyun-wook, and Moon Jae-kyun, KAIST’s electrical engineering professor, to sign the agreement.
According to Professor Moon, the partnership marks the first time a maker of semiconductors would allow access to its manufacturing data. In the chipmaking business, cybersecurity and confidentiality of information is the most important thing, he added.
SK hynix said that it launched a cloud computing system to help in the transfer of data. The system, established at the company’s headquarters in Incheon last March, would enable KAIST to collect and store information it receives. The company said it also set up security deposit areas in the Seongnam-KAIST ICT research center and at the university’s Daejeon campus.
Strengthening Chipmaking Capabilities
To further develop and improve its semiconductor making capabilities, SK hynix actively sought to strengthen its partnerships with South Korea’s top universities. The company expects to fast-track the development of chipmaking technologies.
In a statement, Song said that SK hynix already set up a system that could immediately use KAIST’s AI algorithms in its manufacturing site. He added that the company hopes to cultivate more professionals in the field of AI technologies, significantly advancing the semiconductor market.
In 2019, SK hynix established the Machine Intelligence and Data Analytics Solutions (MIDAS) laboratory to apply an AI-powered system in different areas of the company.
