"Short-term Results Expected in Infrastructure Projects
Such as Ulsan AI Data Center"
Elite Team Selected for Proprietary AI Foundation Model
"Building Organization and Technological Capabilities Even Before ChatGPT Launch"
"Tangible Outcomes Expected from Strategic Investments in Global Companies
Such as Anthropic"
Yoo Youngsang, CEO of SK Telecom, reaffirmed that the core of the company’s artificial intelligence (AI) business strategy lies in “self-reliance and collaboration.” He stated that SK Telecom will pursue both independent development based on technological capabilities (self-reliance) and partnerships with global companies, while adjusting detailed strategies in response to the evolving domestic and international AI landscape. Yoo expressed confidence that the company will be able to achieve visible results in a short period of time, especially in infrastructure businesses such as the Ulsan AI Data Center.
Speaking with reporters immediately after the government-telecom AI investment cooperation declaration ceremony held at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Seoul on August 12, Yoo said, “Both the global and domestic AI environments are changing rapidly. The government’s policy support is serving as a catalyst, creating conditions that enable the private sector to move actively.” He emphasized, “SK Telecom’s AI strategy remains unchanged: it is based on self-reliance through our technological capabilities and collaboration with global companies.”
“Self-reliance and collaboration” was first officially presented as a direction when SK Telecom announced its “AI Pyramid Strategy” in September 2023. At that time, SK Telecom identified two key pillars: strengthening independent technological capabilities and expanding global cooperation, focusing on three main areas-AI infrastructure, AIX (industry-specific AI), and AI services.
Regarding the results of AI investments, Yoo explained, “We can achieve rapid results in infrastructure businesses, including the Ulsan AI Data Center. The AX (AI transformation) business aims to drive innovation within our own telecommunications operations, facilitate industrial AI transformation for SK Group’s manufacturing affiliates, and ultimately expand to innovate the domestic manufacturing sector.” However, he added, “It will take time to reach the stage of full-scale manufacturing innovation.”
On the selection of SK Telecom’s proprietary AI foundation model, Yoo said, “SK Telecom has been developing its own models since the era of GPT-2, and we declared ourselves an AI company even before the launch of ChatGPT. Our experience and technological capabilities with proprietary models contributed to this selection.” He also revealed, “We have pursued a strategy of absorbing the latest technologies at minimal cost and effort by leveraging open source in parallel.”
Yoo also mentioned the achievements of strategic investments in global AI companies. “In the case of Anthropic, its corporate value has grown more than fiftyfold in just two years,” he said. “We prioritize investments for strategic alliances over purely financial investments, and the results will soon become tangible.” SK Telecom made a bold $100 million (approximately 130 billion KRW) investment in Anthropic two years ago.
Regarding the government-telecom AI investment cooperation sub-fund (KIF), Yoo stated, “When it was launched with an initial size of 300 billion KRW, SK Telecom contributed 190 billion KRW, and that ratio has been maintained. SK Telecom continues to account for a large portion of the total.”
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