[New Year's Message] Yoo Sang-young, SKT CEO: "A Year of Leap and Transition Toward Becoming an AI Company"

Securing Service and Technical Capabilities at the Level of Global Big Tech

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Hye-seon] Yoo Young-sang, CEO of SK Telecom, urged SK Telecom and SK Broadband members in a New Year's email on the 2nd to "make this year the first year of executing the vision of leaping and transforming into an artificial intelligence (AI) company."

CEO Yoo evaluated last year as a year that marked the beginning of the new normal after the pandemic. He diagnosed, "An unprecedented interest rate hike and the outbreak of war have ushered in an era of inflation and deglobalization, which will continue to be uncertain management environment factors in the new year." From a business perspective, he forecasted that conversational AI, the metaverse, and Web 3, which are mentioned as candidates for the next internet, will continue to develop despite ups and downs.

CEO Yoo emphasized, "Rather than shrinking back, we must make this year a year of 'leap and transformation,'" adding, "It should be a year to realize and visualize the vision of 'an AI company that benefits customers through technology and services'." To this end, the plan is to establish a foundation for growth as a global AI service provider through the successful settlement of A.Dot. In addition, existing businesses such as wired and wireless communications, media, and enterprise will be redefined with AI, and AI transformation (AIX) in other industries will be actively promoted.

Based on this, CEO Yoo expressed his ambition, saying, "We will secure service and technological capabilities at the level of global big tech."

CEO Yoo proposed, "The path we are taking now is one that no one has ever taken before, but let us walk this path together with pride in pioneering the history of Korea's telecommunications and ICT and confidence in success." He added, "In the Year of the Black Rabbit, we must make a big leap like the black rabbit this year and build a foundation to reap big harvests starting next year."