2 weeks Ago By Jung So-yeon
SK Telecom (SKT) is set to create a world-class 'AI Infrastructure' that is accessible and user-friendly. During the 'SK AI Summit 2024', held from October 4-5, SKT unveiled their ambitious plan to build an 'AI Infrastructure Super Highway,' leading significant changes based on AI infrastructure. SKT's initiative focuses on three pillars: AI Data Centers, GPU Cloud Services (GPUaaS), and Edge AI.
The company aims to establish these infrastructures across the nation and expand globally with international partners. Yoo Young-sang, CEO and Chairman of the SK ICT Committee, stated that just as South Korea became an ICT powerhouse through top-notch infrastructure, the same success formula can apply in the AI era. He emphasized that SKT plans to lead the way for South Korea to advance as an AI G3 nation by developing the 'AI Infrastructure Super Highway.
' Initially, SKT plans to develop hyperscale AI data centers with over 100MW capacity in key domestic areas and eventually expand these to gigawatt levels to become the 'AI DC Hub' of the Asia-Pacific. Locating AI data centers in regional areas enables the use of local renewable energy sources like hydrogen, solar, and wind power and facilitates global expansion through undersea cables. SKT explained that integrating high-efficiency next-generation semiconductors, immersion cooling energy solutions, and AI cluster operation capabilities, readily available within SK, allows for cost-effective and efficient AI data center construction.
In December, SKT plans to open an AI data center testbed in Pangyo, pooling various solutions from SK Group and partners. This testbed, incorporating NVIDIA's latest chips and Hynix's HBM, includes next-gen liquid cooling solutions and AI optimization technologies, serving as a preview of future AI data centers. Long-term, SKT expects this infrastructure to attract over 50 trillion won in new investments, create more than 550,000 jobs, generate 175 trillion won in economic effects, and foster advanced AI industries in various regions.
Additionally, SKT plans to convert its Gasan data center into an AI data center offering GPUaaS, launching this form of cloud-based GPU service to address domestic GPU supply shortages. In partnership with Lambda, the company will start with H100-based GPUaaS by December, expanding to include the latest H200 GPUs by March 2025. SKT aims to enable more companies to develop AI services affordably without purchasing GPUs, thereby boosting the domestic AI ecosystem.
Concurrently, SKT plans to develop a 'Korean Sovereign AI' focused on the K-AI semiconductor with a 1 trillion won investment by 2025. This initiative will incorporate solutions from partners like Rebellions and SK Hynix. The company also plans to utilize its extensive telecommunications infrastructure to introduce 'Edge AI,' bridging the gap between AI data centers and on-device AI.
Edge AI offers advantages like low latency and enhanced privacy, capable of large-scale AI computation that complements existing infrastructures. SKT is collaborating with global partners to develop AI data centers and custom servers using telecommunications infrastructure. They are also conducting various proof-of-concept projects in sectors like healthcare, AI robotics, and AI CCTV to discover edge AI-specialized services.
Yoo highlighted the need for a paradigm shift in telecommunications from connectivity competition to network evolution. He anticipates that 6G will evolve into next-generation AI infrastructure combining telecommunications and AI. SKT plans to enter the global market by developing an AI DC total solution that combines AI semiconductors, data centers, and energy solutions through partnerships with domestic and international AI companies.
It will explore global business opportunities with partners like Lambda for GPUaaS and lead the global standardization of Edge AI technology. Yoo concluded by urging collaboration among governments, local authorities, and businesses to collectively create a new future, positioning SK Telecom at the forefront of building the AI Infrastructure Super Highway for South Korea's advancement as an AI G3 nation..
