As Samsung Group accelerates its transition to artificial intelligence (AI) through the adoption of external generative AI, SK Group faces increasing complexity in its own strategy. Until now, SK has limited the use of external generative AI due to concerns over internal information leaks, opting instead for in-house AI solutions. However, recent meetings between SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won and NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang, along with the upcoming New Icheon Forum, have sparked discussions about a comprehensive AX (AI transformation) innovation utilizing external generative AI and AI agents.
According to industry sources, the New Icheon Forum, taking place from June 11 to 13, will serve as a critical opportunity for SK's leadership and members to discuss strategies and execution roadmaps to enhance the group's AX response. On the first day, participants will share AX goals and roadmaps from major affiliates, and a CEO panel discussion will focus on securing the implementation of AI innovations. The forum aims to facilitate broad communication regarding the necessity and direction of AX tailored to each company's circumstances.
On June 12, discussions led by members will take place, allowing them to share firsthand experiences of changes in the AI era and brainstorm solutions to challenges faced during the AX process, as well as ways to enhance organizational operations. On the final day, June 13, SK Group executives will present the AX initiatives discussed by each affiliate and reinforce the group's commitment to accelerating AX.
The push for AX is driven by a sense of urgency as global companies increasingly adopt generative AI-based agents as the new normal, prompting SK Group to avoid falling behind. SK has been pursuing AX strategies at the affiliate level, but the approach varies significantly among companies. For instance, SK Telecom has implemented its own foundation model-based AI, 'A.Dot Biz,' across its operations, allowing for the creation of AI agents specialized for corporate tasks while preventing the leakage of trade secrets. However, this approach is feasible only for companies with large-scale AI data centers and supercomputers ranked among the top 100 globally, which may limit practical performance compared to external generative AI.
SK Hynix has developed its own AI model based on external generative AI to utilize in operations while preventing leaks of sensitive semiconductor information. However, the nature of the semiconductor business, which is highly sensitive to government leaks, makes it challenging to implement AI agents in core tasks. SK Innovation has allowed limited use of generative AI on a company intranet, but the performance of the AI models has been a concern.
Industry insiders predict that the forum will lead SK Group to decide on the full-scale adoption of external generative AI in its operations and explore measures to address the increased operational costs associated with the spread of AI agents. Following Samsung Group's lead, SK Group's decision to fully integrate external generative AI and AI agents into its operations is expected to accelerate AX across major South Korean corporations.
An SK Group official stated, "This year's New Icheon Forum will be a platform for broadly discussing AX strategies to lead in the AI era. We will accelerate the transition to AX-centered management based on consensus among our members."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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