On April 29, at the "Google for Korea 2026" event, Google announced plans to collaborate with South Korean manufacturing, platform, and media companies to accelerate the deployment of its Gemini AI across various industrial applications. The company also introduced "AI Allim," a brand dedicated to enhancing AI capabilities, and revealed plans to establish an AI Campus in South Korea within the year.
According to Google Korea President Koo Yoon, South Korean users exhibit high acceptance and active usage of AI, making the country one of the fastest-growing markets for Gemini in the Asia-Pacific region. Google's data indicates that 82% of South Korean users view AI as a tool for growth, leading the company to internally designate South Korea as an "AI-first nation."
In the manufacturing and hardware sectors, Google is deepening its collaboration with Samsung to advance the development of the next-generation Galaxy XR headset based on Android XR. Additionally, the company is working with Samsung and Gentle Monster on an AI glasses project.
In the platform and services domain, Google is integrating Gemini into more South Korean digital services. A partnership with Kakao is focusing on mobile adaptation, with the first implementation being the AI service Kanana within KakaoTalk. Google also plans to incorporate Gemini into LG Uplus's AI Agent "ixio" to enhance real-time search and content summarization capabilities.
The newly launched "AI Allim" initiative will offer AI training programs targeting youth, developers, enterprises, and startups. The accompanying AI Campus will serve as a hub for collaboration among partners, universities, and the startup ecosystem, and is part of Google DeepMind's new national AI partnership program with the South Korean government. This marks the first overseas location for an AI Campus outside of its UK headquarters.
Research collaboration represents another key focus. Google intends to support institutions such as Seoul National University and KAIST in utilizing models like AlphaFold, AlphaEvolve, and AlphaGenome for research in life sciences, energy, and climate studies.
In the field of Physical AI, Google is strengthening its robotics initiatives. Demis Hassabis noted that South Korea's strengths in semiconductors, robotics manufacturing, and research resources position it to lead the next wave of AI innovation. Google also showcased its new Gemini Robotics 1.6 model and is advancing its collaboration with Boston Dynamics to integrate Atlas with Gemini Robotics, with plans to deploy the technology in Hyundai Motor's U.S. factory by 2028.
In education, Google announced a partnership with YBMnet to launch a TOEIC simulation service within Gemini and introduced LearnLM, an education-specific model emphasizing guided learning over direct answers.
A closed-door roundtable held prior to the event focused on corporate AI transformation. Executives from companies including SK Telecom, CJ ENM, and GS Retail discussed model strategy, data capabilities, and "switchable model architecture" with Google. Google DeepMind executive Karim Ayoub emphasized that in the face of rapid model evolution, companies should prioritize developing Harness Engineering capabilities rather than relying on a single model.
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