Seoul: SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won has called for a stronger focus on artificial intelligence (AI) as a new growth engine, urging the group to take a leading role in the AI-driven industrial revolution, the company said Sunday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Chey emphasized the importance of AI adaptation, stating, "The sustainable survival of companies depends on how they adapt to AI." He highlighted the need to broaden horizons by applying AI not only in information technology (IT) but also in areas such as electricity, energy, and biotechnology.
His remarks align with SK Group's long-term strategy to accelerate its "fourth quantum leap" by integrating AI into all aspects of business operations, including AI data centers, AI agents, robotics, manufacturing, energy, and bio. The group has previously announced plans to invest 82 trillion won (US$59.7 billion) in AI and semiconductor sectors by 2030.
As a first step, SK Group recently unveiled a partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to build a hyperscale AI data center in Ulsan, approximately 305 kilometers southeast of Seoul. The facility is scheduled to begin operations by 2027 and is expected to create up to 78,000 direct and indirect jobs over time as it scales.
The project reflects SK Group and AWS' joint commitment to advancing cloud infrastructure to support AI innovation, the company said. It involves key SK Group affiliates, including SK Telecom Co., SK hynix Inc., and SK Gas, leveraging the group's strengths in ICT, energy, and semiconductors.
The new data center is anticipated to enhance the group's capabilities to meet the growing demand for generative AI through compute, storage, database, and edge computing solutions. "Hyperscale AI data centers are core national assets that can strengthen our geopolitical position amid intensifying global tech competition and trade pressure," the group said.
"Given that AI data centers typically operate for decades, this large-scale investment by a global tech giant underscores confidence in Korea's political and economic stability and long-term growth potential."