- SK Telecom introduces a powerful new GPU cluster, named Haein, to accelerate the development of AI models in South Korea.
- The platform forms a core part of the national AI strategy, reinforcing South Korea’s push for sovereign AI capabilities.
What happened: SK Telecom launches Haein GPU cluster
On August 5, SK Telecom launched one of South Korea’s largest GPU-as-a-Service (GPUaaS) platforms, marking a significant step in the country’s AI development. The Haein cluster, built on over 1,000 Nvidia B200 GPUs, is designed to provide high-performance computing essential for developing large-scale AI models. It will serve as a pivotal component of South Korea’s sovereign AI infrastructure, which aims to enhance national competitiveness in AI technology.
The Haein platform is a successor to SK Telecom’s H100-based service, introduced in late 2024, and it is set to accelerate the creation of AI foundation models. Haein’s GPUaaS service will cater to various industries and research projects, including government initiatives like the Ministry of Science and ICT’s ‘Proprietary AI Foundation Model’ programme, which aims to boost Korea’s AI capacity.
Strategic partnerships with companies like Penguin Solutions and Supermicro have helped bring the cluster to life, focusing on server systems and AI infrastructure. Additionally, SK Telecom is promoting its own virtualisation solution, Petasus AI Cloud, to enhance resource allocation across the platform.
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Why it’s important
Haein is not just another AI platform; it plays a vital role in South Korea’s efforts to become a leader in generative AI and high-performance computing. The launch strengthens the country’s AI superhighway by providing essential computing power for AI research, particularly in developing foundational models that can lead to breakthroughs in various sectors, from healthcare to autonomous driving.
The GPUaaS platform supports South Korea’s broader strategy to build a self-reliant AI ecosystem, reducing reliance on foreign cloud services. This aligns with the government’s ambition to position the nation as a global AI competitor. With the introduction of Haein, SK Telecom is setting the stage for the next wave of AI innovation, both locally and globally, contributing to the growth of South Korea’s AI ecosystem.
