SK Telecom CEO Unveils 'AI Native' Strategy at MWC26, Driving Korea's Leap in AI Innovation

Rhea-AI Summary

SK Telecom (NYSE:SKM) unveiled an AI Native transformation on March 1, 2026 in Barcelona, led by CEO Jung Jai-hun. The plan covers a major AI-driven overhaul of IT, Zero Trust security, autonomous networks and customer-facing AI agents.

SKT will build 1GW-class hyperscale AIDC capacity nationwide, collaborate with OpenAI on a southwestern Korea AIDC, upgrade its sovereign foundation model from 519B to over 1T parameters with multimodal capabilities, and commercialize its Petasus AI Cloud. The strategy also includes workplace AI tools (AX dashboard, AI Board, 2,000+ internal agents) and manufacturing-focused AI solutions with SK hynix.

Positive

• Plan to build 1GW-class hyperscale AI data centers nationwide
• Upgrade sovereign foundation model from 519B to >1T parameters
• Planned collaboration with OpenAI to build an AIDC in southwestern Korea
• Commercial rollout of Petasus AI Cloud to global markets
• 2,000+ internal AI agents already active across SKT operations

Negative

• None.

News Market Reaction – SKM

-0.46%

1 alert

-0.46% News Effect

On the day this news was published, SKM declined 0.46%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Key Figures

AI model size: 519B parameters Target AI model size: Over 1T parameters AI data center capacity: 1GW-class +5 more

8 metrics

AI model size 519B parameters Current sovereign AI foundation model size in Korea

Target AI model size Over 1T parameters Planned upgrade of sovereign AI foundation model

AI data center capacity 1GW-class Planned hyperscale AI data centers across Korea

AI agents in use More than 2,000 agents Internal AI agents used across marketing, legal, PR

Solution package formats 3 forms Manufacturing-specialized AI solution: infrastructure, model, solution

AI investment plan Won 5 trillion Planned cumulative AI-related investment over five years (2025 6-K)

Target AI revenue Won 5 trillion or more AI-related revenue goal for 2030 (2025 6-K)

Consolidated revenue W8,792,477 million Six months ended June 30, 2025 (2025 6-K)

Market Reality Check

Price: $30.20 Vol: Volume 1,971,040 is close...

normal vol

$30.20 Last Close

Volume Volume 1,971,040 is close to 20-day average 2,045,310 (relative volume 0.96). normal

Technical Shares at $30.34 are trading above the 200-day MA at $22.37 and about 10% below the 52-week high of $33.705.

Peers on Argus

SKM fell 1.97% while key telecom peers were flat to positive: KT at 0%, LBRDA +2...

SKM fell 1.97% while key telecom peers were flat to positive: KT at 0%, LBRDA +2.4%, LBRDK +3.12%, TIGO +3.91%, FYBR roughly unchanged. Moves diverge from SKM, suggesting stock-specific dynamics.

Previous AI Reports

5 past events · Latest: Dec 27 (Positive)

Same Type Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 27	Hyperscale AI model	Positive	+0.7%	Launch of 519B-parameter A.X K1 hyperscale AI foundation model.
Nov 04	AI agent launch	Positive	-0.5%	Unveiling of Aster AI personal agent and North America launch plan.
Jul 15	AI infra investment	Positive	+2.1%	SKT’s $200M strategic AI infrastructure investment in SGH’s Penguin Solutions.
May 28	AI service rollout	Positive	-0.5%	Global expansion of X Caliber AI veterinary diagnostic service to new regions.
Apr 11	AI co-pilot debut	Neutral	-0.6%	Announcement of Snap AI co-pilot at an industry event under the AI theme.

Pattern Detected

Past AI-related announcements have produced mixed reactions, with both modest gains and declines, indicating no consistent upside pattern to AI news.

Recent Company History

Over the last year, SK Telecom has repeatedly highlighted AI initiatives. On Apr 11, 2024, an AI co-pilot from Swit carried a small negative move. Subsequent AI launches—including veterinary service X Caliber (May 28, 2024), a $200M AI infrastructure investment via SGH (Jul 15, 2024), and the Aster personal agent (Nov 4, 2024)—saw both positive and negative price reactions. The Dec 27, 2025 unveiling of the 519B-parameter A.X K1 model brought a mild gain, showing incremental but not explosive market responses to AI news.

Historical Comparison

+0.2% avg move · Across the last 5 AI-tagged announcements, average 1-day moves were about 0.23%, showing historicall...

AI

+0.2%

Average Historical Move AI

Across the last 5 AI-tagged announcements, average 1-day moves were about 0.23%, showing historically muted reactions to AI news versus today’s response.

AI news has progressed from co-pilot tools and vertical services to large foundation models, strategic AI infra investments, and now a broad ‘AI Native’ transformation strategy.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement details SK Telecom’s shift to an “AI Native” model, spanning 1GW-class AI data cen...

Analysis

This announcement details SK Telecom’s shift to an “AI Native” model, spanning 1GW-class AI data centers, an upgraded sovereign model beyond 1T parameters, and deployment of more than 2,000 internal AI agents. It builds on prior disclosures, including a planned Won 5 trillion AI investment and a 519B-parameter foundation model. Investors may watch for concrete milestones: capacity build-out, commercialization of manufacturing AI solutions, and progress toward the 2030 AI revenue target.

Key Terms

zero trust, aicc, gpu cluster, gpuaas, +2 more

6 terms

zero trust technical

"SKT will establish a Zero Trust information security framework across all systems"

Zero trust is a security approach that assumes no one, whether inside or outside an organization, should be automatically trusted. Instead, every access request is carefully verified before being granted, much like checking ID at every door rather than trusting someone just because they are known. For investors, it emphasizes the importance of protecting digital assets and data from potential breaches, reducing overall risk.

aicc technical

"enhance its AI Contact Center (AICC), enabling all customer service representatives..."

AICc is a statistical score that helps compare and choose between competing predictive models by balancing how well each model fits the data against how many parameters it uses; it adds a correction for small sample sizes so the penalty for extra complexity is stronger when data are limited. For investors, AICc helps pick more reliable forecasting or risk models—like choosing a simple, accurate recipe over an overly complicated one that only looks good by chance—reducing the risk of overfitting and poor out‑of‑sample performance.

gpu cluster technical

"In addition to its GPU cluster Haein, SKT is building AIDCs..."

A GPU cluster is a group of high-performance graphics processing units (GPUs) linked together to tackle very large computing tasks by sharing work, like a team of specialists handling different parts of a big project. Investors care because these clusters power AI, data analysis, simulations and other compute-heavy services that can drive revenue, reduce time-to-market and create competitive advantages, while also representing significant capital and running costs.

gpuaas technical

"its GPU cluster built for GPUaaS, and this year plans to offer..."

GPU as a Service (GPUaaS) is a cloud offering that lets customers rent powerful graphics processors on demand instead of buying hardware, similar to renting a high-performance workstation by the hour. Investors care because it turns a large, upfront capital expense into recurring revenue for providers, scales with demand from AI, gaming and scientific workloads, and can signal faster customer adoption and higher-margin, subscription-style business models for companies offering the service.

virtualization solution technical

"applied its high-performance, high-efficiency virtualization solution 'Petasus AI Cloud'"

A virtualization solution is software and related tools that let one physical computer or data center run many independent virtual machines or services, like turning a single apartment building into many separate rentable units. For investors, it matters because it can cut hardware costs, speed deployment, and turn one-time sales into ongoing service revenue, affecting a company’s profitability, scalability, and competitive position in cloud and IT markets.

hyperscale llms technical

"AIDC can be seen as the heart of Korea, and hyperscale LLMs as the brain"

Hyperscale LLMs are very large artificial intelligence language models run on massive cloud infrastructure designed to handle huge numbers of users and data at once. Think of them as industrial-grade engines that can read, summarize, and generate text for millions of people simultaneously; investors care because their size and scale drive high upfront costs, significant revenue potential from broad deployment, and competitive barriers that affect profitability and capital needs.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

-       Seizing the golden time for a major transformation, with 'Customer Value & AI' as the top two priorities for driving change

-       Major overhaul of systems and infrastructure, the foundation of telecommunications, centered on AI

-       Redesigning customer-friendly products, promoting integrated AI agents, and strengthening communication with customers

-       Advancing hyperscale AI data centers, developing 1000B AI models, and focusing on manufacturing AI to help Korea become one of the world's top three AI leaders

BARCELONA, March 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- SK Telecom (NYSE:SKM, hereinafter referred to as "SKT") has announced a major transformation to lead the era of AI.

On March 1, SKT CEO Jung Jai-hun held a press conference in Barcelona, Spain, and announced the company's 'AI Native' innovation strategy, which includes a reorganization of AI infrastructure and large-scale investment plans.

This strategy reflects SKT's ambition to redesign its telecommunications leadership DNA into an AI-driven DNA, building on its core strengths, and to lead Korea's leap toward becoming one of the world's top three AI leaders through bold challenges and change. 

CEO Jung Jai-hun stated, "SKT is currently at a golden time of transformation, where the two tasks of 'customer value innovation' and 'AI innovation' intersect in a borderless, converged environment that goes beyond telecommunications. SKT defines 'the customer as the very essence of our business,' and through innovation driven by AI, we will evolve into a company that makes meaningful contributions to our customers and to Korea."

• Maximizing Customer Value with 'AI-powered Telco' 

SKT plans to build stronger relationships with customers and significantly enhance customer-perceived value by applying AI across all areas of telecommunications.

To achieve this, SKT will undertake a major overhaul of its integrated IT systems, the foundation of its telecom services, redesigning them to be optimized for AI.

SKT will build all integrated systems, including sales IT, line management, and billing systems, around AI, enabling the company to promptly design and provide personalized plans and memberships tailored to each customer's needs.

In particular, SKT will establish a Zero Trust information security framework across all systems, strengthening security through rigorous authentication, access control, network segmentation, and AI-based integrated security monitoring.

SKT is also accelerating its 'autonomous network operations' strategy, which leverages AI to automate network management.

SKT is set to transition from human-centered operations to AI-driven autonomous systems across wireless quality management, traffic control, and network equipment and facility operations, with the goal of maximizing customer-perceived quality. With AI-RAN technology, the company plans to deliver ultra-fast, seamless, and ultra-low latency communications.

• Customer-Friendly Redesign Across All Touchpoints, from Services to Customer Touchpoints—Enhancing Two-Way Communication with Customers

SKT plans to redesign its telecom services and products to be more customer-friendly, while also strengthening two-way communication with customers.

For services such as pricing, roaming, and membership, SKT will prioritize customer convenience by restructuring them into simple and intuitive formats and automatically offering personalized packages.

SKT is also developing an 'integrated AI agent' that connects the dispersed customer experiences across various touchpoints, such as T world (SKT's main customer portal) and T Direct Shop (SKT's official online store).

By quickly analyzing customers' daily patterns and needs with AI, SKT aims to create a single agent that delivers personalized experiences at every touchpoint. In addition, SKT will enhance its AI Contact Center (AICC), enabling all customer service representatives to use AI for accurate and prompt support.

Offline stores will also leverage AI to shift from sales-focused operations to providing deeper customer experiences, accurately identifying needs, and automatically offering personalized recommendations even after a visit—delivering highly tailored curation services. 

In addition, SKT plans to create 'AI Personas' to analyze digital behavior data across various customer segments, enabling a comprehensive understanding of each customer's needs and preferences through natural, conversational Q&A. This approach will allow SKT to communicate more effectively with all customers.

SKT is further advancing 'A. phone (A-DoT phone),' developing it into a true AI agent that can automatically organize call notes and schedules, connect customers to personalized services, and even perform related actions. 

SKT plans to expand opportunities for employees to engage directly with customers in the field, fostering two-way communication. This year, SKT plans to actively listen to a wide range of customer groups, as well as experts from industry and academia, and thoroughly reflect their voices in all aspects of company management.

• Building 1GW-Class AI Data Centers Nationwide to Establish Asia's Largest AIDC Hub

SKT will build 1GW-class hyperscale AI data center (AIDC) infrastructure across Korea, aiming to attract global investment and establish the nation as Asia's largest AIDC hub.

In addition to its GPU cluster Haein, SKT is building AIDCs and plans to expand to hyperscale capacity exceeding 1GW through global partnerships. The company also plans to build an AIDC in Korea's southwestern region in collaboration with OpenAI, as part of its broader vision to establish a nationwide AI infrastructure network.

Together with SK hynix, SK Ecoplant, and SK Innovation, SKT will secure solutions across the entire value chain—from AIDC construction to cooling, servers, energy, and operations—to provide AIDCs with industry-leading cost efficiency.

Last year, SKT applied its high-performance, high-efficiency virtualization solution 'Petasus AI Cloud' to Haein, its GPU cluster built for GPUaaS, and this year plans to offer Petasus AI Cloud in the global market.

SKT will upgrade its sovereign AI foundation model, currently the largest in Korea at 519B parameters, to over 1T (one trillion parameters), securing AI sovereignty and driving innovation across industries. In particular, SKT plans to enhance the model by adding multimodal capabilities, enabling it to process not only image data but also voice and video data, starting in the second half of this year.

Moreover, SKT will focus on jointly developing a 'manufacturing-specialized AI solution' package with SK hynix to strengthen the competitiveness of Korea's manufacturing industries, including semiconductors and energy. This package analyzes process data in real time to reduce defect rates and maximize equipment efficiency, and will be offered in three forms: infrastructure, model, and solution.

CEO Jung stated, "AIDC can be seen as the heart of Korea, and hyperscale LLMs as the brain. By combining SKT's AI capabilities with collaboration from domestic and global partners, we will lead true AI-native transformation for Korean customers and enterprises."

• Transforming Work Culture Around AI

CEO Jung emphasized, "To drive future growth, we must reinvent our way of working from the ground up. SKT will fundamentally transform its corporate culture to be centered around AI."

SKT has built an 'AX (AI Transformation) Dashboard' that provides a comprehensive view of AI utilization by department and individual, accelerating AI adoption across the organization. In addition, SKT operates an 'AI Board' to strengthen dedicated support for AX initiatives and is fostering a work environment and culture where employees can naturally incorporate AI into their daily tasks.

SKT has also built an 'AI playground,' enabling employees to easily develop and use AI agents for their work without coding. Currently, more than 2,000 AI agents are being actively used across areas such as marketing, legal, and PR.

CEO Jung stated, "By implementing company-wide AI upskilling education and campaigns, we will transform our organizational culture to be AI Native. Through SKT's new transformation, we will do our utmost to regain the trust of our customers and become a company that contributes to the nation and society."

About SK Telecom

SK Telecom has been leading the growth of the mobile industry since 1984. Now, it is taking customer experience to new heights by extending beyond connectivity. By placing AI at the core of its business, SK Telecom is rapidly transforming into an AI company with a strong global presence. It is focusing on driving innovations in areas of AI Infrastructure, AI Transformation (AIX) and AI Service to deliver greater value for industry, society, and life.

For more information, please contact skt_press@sk.com or visit our LinkedIn page www.linkedin.com/company/sk-telecom.

 

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SOURCE SK Telecom

FAQ

What did SKM announce about AI infrastructure at MWC26 on March 1, 2026?

SKM announced plans for nationwide hyperscale AI data centers and infrastructure expansion. According to the company, it will build 1GW-class AIDCs, expand GPU clusters, and pursue global partnerships to make Korea an Asia AIDC hub.

How will SKM upgrade its sovereign AI model and when will multimodal features begin?

SKM will upgrade its sovereign model from 519B to over 1T parameters, enhancing multimodal capabilities. According to the company, multimodal support for image, voice, and video will start rolling out in the second half of 2026.

What customer-facing AI changes did SKM describe for telecom services and support?

SKM plans integrated AI agents, AICC enhancements, and personalized plans across touchpoints to improve customer value. According to the company, this includes an integrated agent linking T world and T Direct Shop and an A. phone AI assistant.

Does SKM have industry partnerships tied to its AI expansion announced at MWC26?

Yes, SKM cited partnerships across the value chain, including OpenAI and SK hynix. According to the company, these collaborations target AIDC construction, manufacturing AI solutions, and cost-efficient operations for hyperscale deployments.

What workplace and organizational changes did SKM commit to in the AI Native strategy?

SKM will transform its work culture with AX tools, an AI Board, and company-wide upskilling programs. According to the company, it has an AX dashboard and an AI playground, with over 2,000 internal AI agents in active use.

Will SKM commercialize its Petasus AI Cloud and what is the target market timeline?

SKM intends to offer Petasus AI Cloud in global markets following its application to existing GPU clusters. According to the company, Petasus has been applied to Haein and will be launched more broadly during the 2026 expansion.