- SK Telecom launches an ambitious AI “superhighway” project across the Asia Pacific, aiming to accelerate regional AI adoption with high-speed telecom infrastructure
- The initiative aligns with SK Telecom’s goal to lead the global standardization of edge AI and collaborate on transitioning to 6G AI infrastructure
What happened
SK Telecom announced on Monday (November 4) that it will develop an AI data center hub in South Korea. CEO Young Sang Ryu outlined the vision, calling it an “AI infrastructure highway” for the Asia-Pacific region. This project will focus on creating an integrated AI infrastructure that integrates AI data centers, graphics processing units as a Service (GPUaaS), and edge AI. This includes the construction of gigawatt data centers in the Asia-Pacific region.
Leveraging its strong telecom network, SK Telecom will provide enterprises with the tools for digital transformation. This initiative will enhance South Korea’s AI infrastructure and drive broader AI technology adoption. SK Telecom said its goal is to “lead the global standardization of edge AI and collaborate on advanced technology research while working to transition to 6G AI infrastructure.”
Also read: (LEAD) SK Telecom aims to make S. Korea AI data center hub for Asia-Pacific region
Also read: South Korea Poised to Become Asia-Pacific’s AI Powerhouse with SK Telecom’s Grand Vision
What it’s important
This move by SK Telecom marks a shift in the integration of artificial intelligence and telecommunications. In the coming years, 6G technology is expected to play a key role in shaping the next generation of AI solutions. Telecommunications networks and artificial intelligence will converge to create smarter, faster, and more connected systems.
One smaller company that highlights the potential impact of this shift is the robotic AI startup Vicarious. Vicarious is developing AI-driven solutions for industrial robots that use machine learning to perform complex tasks. The company faces limitations in scaling its AI model due to the need for high-speed data processing and cloud infrastructure. If SK Telecom’s AI Superhighway is implemented, it could provide small companies like Vicarious the resources to scale quickly. This would help remove bottlenecks caused by limited infrastructure, allowing for faster AI system growth.
In this context, SK Telecom’s AI highway could play a key role in helping small and medium-sized enterprises (smes) gain access to advanced digital tools and computing power. These tools and computing power are necessary for them to remain competitive in an AI-driven world.
