SEOUL, March 11 (Reuters) - South Korea's senior presidential secretary for AI, Ha Jung-woo, said on Wednesday thatartificial intelligencecooperation with the United Arab Emirates could accelerate after the Middle East conflict ends, given the UAE's need to strengthen its defence capabilities.
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* "We expect that cooperation (with the UAE) couldaccelerate further. Through this process, we believe there willbe many opportunities for us to create together," Ha said at apress conference. * "Given the very complex situation currently unfolding inthe Middle East, there is also a growing need for the UAE tosignificantly strengthen its defence capabilities," Ha said,adding that meetings with the UAE have continued despite the"very difficult environment." * Last year, South Korea agreed to work with the UnitedArab Emirates on the U.S.-backed Stargate project to build amassive new artificial intelligence data campus in the Gulfcountry. * South Korea said it will help build computing power andenergy infrastructure for the world's largest set of AI data centres outside the United States, after South Korean PresidentLee Jae Myung had a summit with UAE President Mohammed bin ZayedAl Nahyan. * South Korea has said it will help build a power grid forthe UAE's Stargate project using nuclear power, gas andrenewable energy, while also deepening cooperation in the AIsector, including in investment, infrastructure, supply chainsand research. * South Korea, home to chipmakers Samsung Electronics andSK Hynix, aims to become a regional AI hub as President Leeprioritises AI investment to spur growth at a time when U.S.tariffs have clouded the broader economic outlook.
(Reporting by Joyce Lee and Heekyong Yang; Editing bu Ed Davies)