AMD, KT invest millions in AI computing startup Moreh

AMD and KT have invested $22 million in Moreh, an AI computing infrastructure startup. Moreh's software allows clients to deploy AI models on GPUs besides Nvidia's, reducing reliance on the chipmaker. The funding will support R&D and hiring.

A group of investors including U.S. chip designer AMD and Korean mobile carrier KT invested $22 million in Moreh, a local AI computing infrastructure startup.

The startup announced Thursday that AMD and KT participated as strategic investors, while investment firms Forest Partners and Smilegate Investment joined as financial investors.

Moreh provides AI software solutions for enterprises, similar to Nvidia’s Compute Unified Device Architecture (CUDA). Clients utilizing Moreh’s software can deploy their AI models, including large language models without code changes, in graphic processing units (GPUs) other than Nvidia’s, thus lowering the world’s dependence on the U.S. chipmaker.

Moreh’s software is being utilized in KT Cloud’s “hyperscale AI computing” service, which can boost the computing capabilities of a device through virtualized GPUs.

The company recently completed training for a 221-billion parameter large language model based on the Korean language and said it will release the foundation model on an open-source platform within this year.

“We’ll contribute to developing the next-generation AI model that is more effective and cost efficient through close cooperation with AMD,” said Moreh’s CEO Jo Kang-won in a statement.

The company will use the funding for research and development, and hiring additional staff.

BY LEE JAE-LIM [lee.jaelim@joongang.co.kr]