Strategic Investment in Together AI, a Specialist in AI Cloud and Open Source
Possesses Model Optimization Technology... Applicable to AI Models and Data Centers
Anthropic and Perplexity See Company Valuations Triple After Investment
SK Telecom (SKT) has decided to invest in the U.S. startup 'Together AI,' which possesses AI optimization technology. Following its partnerships with global tech companies developing large language models (LLMs), SKT is now joining hands with a company specializing in AI optimization technology, signaling its move to build an AI ecosystem.
On the 24th, SK Telecom announced that it would make a strategic investment in Together AI, a startup specializing in AI cloud and open source, and strengthen development cooperation to build an AI platform. Together AI was founded in 2022 in California, USA, and recently succeeded in raising $305 million (approximately 440 billion KRW) in a Series B funding round.
Together AI specializes in 'inference using AI open source' services and 'fine-tuning' services that adapt pre-built AI models by training them with specific data for targeted use. It also provides low-cost GPU cluster construction in collaboration with NVIDIA. Its major clients include global companies such as Zoom, The Washington Post, and Salesforce.
From AI Models and Platforms to AI Data Centers... Exploring Ways to Enhance Technological Capabilities
SKT plans to explore cooperation with Together AI across the entire AI domain, including the personal AI assistant 'Ester' set to enter the North American market, its proprietary LLM 'A.DotX,' and AI data centers.
For example, by utilizing Together AI’s GPU computation efficiency technology called 'Together Kernel Collection' and model compression quantization technology 'Qtip,' the size of AI models can be reduced. As the model becomes lighter, the computations the GPU must perform become simpler. An SKT official stated, "Lightweight AI models reduce initial GPU investment and operating costs, which is advantageous," adding, "Based on Together AI’s technology, we expect to combine strengths across multiple areas, from AI models and platforms to AI data centers."
Vipul Ved Prakash, co-founder and CEO of Together AI, said, "Collaboration with SKT is an important partnership for Together AI, and we expect it to create great synergy in developing SKT’s new personal AI agent."
Successful Investments in Anthropic and Perplexity... Company Valuations More Than Triple
Over the past two years, SKT has continuously collaborated and invested in global AI companies. Representative examples include partnerships with U.S. AI startups Anthropic and Perplexity. Both companies’ valuations have increased more than threefold following SKT’s investments.
Anthropic was SKT’s first major AI investment. SKT invested approximately 140 billion KRW in Anthropic. SK Telecom developed a telecom-specialized LLM by training Anthropic’s generative AI 'Claude' with Korean language data owned by SKT. SKT uses this telecom LLM to assist customer service and T World consultations. Claude is also provided in the enterprise AI market for SKT internal staff and B2B clients.
SKT is collaborating with Perplexity in the personal AI assistant field. SKT’s domestically specialized AI 'A.Dot' incorporates Perplexity’s search engine, and they are jointly developing 'Ester.'
Among domestic startups, SKT invested in Twelve Labs, which stands out in the video AI field, at the end of last year. This company also joined the 'K-AI Alliance,' led by SKT, as a key member.
Lee Jae-shin, head of SKT’s AI Growth Strategy Division, stated, "Through continuous investment and collaboration with AI startups, we will create 'SKT’s unique way of using AI.'"
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