Open Korea

Korean Identities Beyond Borders

SK Telecom accelerates AI push via alliance with more partners

in ,

SK Telecom CEO Ryu Young-sang speaks to the press at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2024 in Barcelona on Feb. 26, 2024 (Courtesy of Yonhap)

SK Telecom Co., South Korea’s top mobile carrier, is accelerating its artificial intelligence push by luring more domestic partners into its AI alliance to better compete with global Big Tech companies.

Last week, the K-AI Alliance, an SK Telecom-led Korean AI group, held Unite 2024, its annual gathering, in Silicon Valley, where the telecom company said it is opening up its alliance wider to attract more local AI companies into its fold.

The alliance launched in February 2023 and was led by SK Telecom in partnership with seven AI startups – Phantom AI, Sapeon, Bespin Global, Moloco, Konan Technology, Sweet Technologies and Tuat.

(Graphics by Dongbeom Yun)

At this year’s Unite event, the alliance welcomed two new Korean members – GPU and AI computing platform operator Lablup and media-specialized AI firm XL8, raising the number of its member companies to 18.

“You alone cannot keep up with the pace of AI innovation. Cooperation is essential to survival in this field. With our strengthened alliance, we will show the world the strength of the Korean AI power,” said SK Telecom Chief Executive Ryu Young-sang.

TRANSITION FROM TELCO TO AI FIRM

SK Telecom strives to transform into an AI company from a mobile carrier.

SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won (fourth from left) and executives from Deutsche Telekom, e&, SingTel and SoftBank pose for a photo on Feb. 26 at the MWC 2024 in Barcelona

In July 2023, the company joined forces with three global peers – Singapore Telecommunications Ltd. (SingTel), Deutsche Telekom and the United Arab Emirates’ e& – to launch a global AI group, the Global Telco AI Alliance (GTAA).

The alliance boasting a combined user base of 1.3 billion people worldwide, became bigger this February, joined by Japan’s SoftBank Group Corp.

The five partners recently set up a joint venture to develop a large language model (LLM) tailored to the needs of telecommunication companies.

The companies plan to create multinational LLMs that support various languages starting with English, Korean, Japanese, German and Arabic.

Just a couple of years ago, SK Telecom pursued AI technology development in-house but recently changed its policy to grow via partnerships with other AI firms.

“SK has seen limitations in fostering its AI business alone,” said an industry official.

By Ji-Eun Jeong

jeong@hankyung.com

In-Soo Nam edited this article.

Related Posts

Latest News from Korea

Latest Entertainment from Korea

Learn People & History of Korea

  • a drawing of a mountain with a house on it
    A Journey Through Time: The History of Korean Art
    Introduction to Korean Art Korean art, a vital reflection of the nation’s rich heritage and cultural evolution, holds a unique place within the broader tapestry of East Asian art forms. Distinguished by its innovative spirit and aesthetic principles, Korean art dates back thousands of years, offering insights into the historical context and socio-political dynamics of the region. As both a… Read more: A Journey Through Time: The History of Korean Art
  • A South Korean soldier forcibly cuts a young man’s hair in front of others during a nationwide crackdown on men with long hair and women wearing short skirts in South Korea – 1970s
    This was during the Fourth Republic of South Korea. The President Park Chung-hee was declared dictator of South Korea for 18 years until he was assassinated and replaced in a coup-de-etat for about 3 years. I’ll post some links about it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourth_Republic_of_Korea https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Park_Chung-hee https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassination_of_Park_Chung-hee submitted by /u/goodhot0006 [link] [comments]
  • Jeong Cheol
    Introduction to Jeong Cheol Jeong Cheol, a prominent figure in Korean history, emerged during the Joseon Dynasty, which lasted from 1392 to 1910. His life, spanning from 1536 to 1593, encapsulates an era rich in cultural and intellectual development. As a scholar, poet, and government official, Jeong Cheol’s influence was significant, embodying the complexities of Confucian philosophy and its application… Read more: Jeong Cheol
  • From War to Miracles: The Evolution of South Korea Amidst Global Struggles
    The End of the Korean War: A Historical Overview The Korean War, which began in 1950, was a significant conflict that arose from the geopolitical tensions following World War II. The war pitted North Korea, backed by the Soviet Union and China, against South Korea, supported by the United States and other United Nations member states. The culmination of this… Read more: From War to Miracles: The Evolution of South Korea Amidst Global Struggles
  • Lee Hwang
    Introduction to Lee Hwang Lee Hwang (퇴溪 李滉), regarded as one of Korea’s foremost Confucian scholars of the 16th century, made significant strides in the development of Confucian thought and education. Born in 1501, he emerged from a distinguished family in the region of Gyeonggi Province, an area where Confucianism was gaining prominence as a guiding ethical framework. His early… Read more: Lee Hwang