SK Hynix and MS Join Hands to Study Ecosystem Around Semiconductor Cluster in Yongin

[Asia Economy Reporter Suyeon Woo] SK Hynix, together with Microsoft (MS), will prove the eco-friendliness of the semiconductor industry through research on the ecosystem of rivers around the Yongin semiconductor cluster.

On the 19th, SK Hynix announced that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with MS for the 'Anseongcheon Species Diversity Research and Digital Green Talent Development Project.' The online signing ceremony was attended by Andrea Della Matea, President of MS Asia Pacific, Lee Ji-eun, CEO of Microsoft Korea, Kim Dong-seop, President of External Cooperation at SK Hynix, and Kim Yun-wook, Vice President in charge of Sustainability, among others.

Through this agreement, the two companies plan to observe the diversification of species in the Anseongcheon area, a river near the Yongin cluster, together with local residents, experts, and other stakeholders based on IT technology, and provide opportunities for local youth to grow into environmental and data experts.

SK Hynix signed a memorandum of understanding with MS for the Anseongcheon biodiversity research and digital green talent development project. After the signing ceremony, representatives from both companies are taking a commemorative photo. Photo by SK Hynix

First, the two companies plan to use MS's 'Azure Artificial Intelligence (AI)' to observe and record changes in the aquatic ecosystem before and after the establishment of the semiconductor cluster, scientifically proving through stakeholder participation that these changes are occurring within a healthy environment.

Basic data collection necessary for AI analysis will be carried out by local residents and SK Hynix employees. When they collect biological data using IT devices such as smartphone cameras and store it on MS Cloud Azure, AI will identify and categorize the species. The accumulated data through this process will be provided to experts to lead research on species diversity, and the research results will also be disclosed to the public.

The Yongin semiconductor cluster is expected to house more than 50 domestic and international partner companies, including SK Hynix, and is currently undergoing the licensing process with the goal of starting operations in 2025. Once the Yongin cluster begins operation, purified water will be discharged, increasing the water volume of Anseongcheon, which is expected to activate the ecosystem by attracting various species due to the abundance of prey.

In addition, SK Hynix plans to provide education opportunities in data analysis and environmental fields to local youth through collaboration with MS's ongoing educational programs and environmental experts, promoting programs that can be linked to employment.

Andrea Della Matea, President of MS Asia Pacific, said, "As Korea has led technology and data-based green growth initiatives, achieving tangible results such as job growth, energy security, and greenhouse gas reduction, we will collaborate to support MS's technology, competitiveness, and resources to establish a more resilient local foundation."

Kim Dong-seop, President of External Cooperation at SK Hynix, said, "We have partnered with MS with the shared goal of strengthening ESG management by solving social issues using IT technology. We will cooperate with stakeholders in various fields and communicate transparently to make the Yongin cluster a healthier and more symbiotic environment complex."