Chey Tae-won, chairman of SK Group, visited Ulsan to assess the implementation status of AI transformation (AX).
On September 10, Chey visited the SK AI Data Center in Ulsan and the SK Innovation Ulsan CLX (Complex) as part of his on-site management efforts. He was accompanied by key executives, including Jang Yong-ho, CEO of SK Innovation; Jeong Jae-hun, CEO of SK Telecom; Yoon Byeong-seok, CEO of SK Gas; Kim Won-ki, CEO of SK Enmove; Kim Jong-hwa, CEO of SK Energy and SK Geo Centric; Kim Seong-su, CEO of SK Broadband; and Kim Young-sik, CEO of SK Eco Plant.
This visit marked Chey's first domestic on-site management since declaring a major shift toward AX-centered management at the 'New Icheon Forum' in June. He inspected the construction status of the SK AI Data Center in Ulsan, which is the first site in SK Group's nationwide initiative to establish AI infrastructure with a total capacity of 15 gigawatts (GW), aiming for operational readiness by the end of 2027 in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS). SK Group plans to expand the Ulsan AI Data Center to a GW-scale and establish a total of over 2 GW of AI data center clusters across the Yeongnam region.
Following this, Chey visited SK Innovation Ulsan CLX to check on the AX status and encourage the staff. Ulsan CLX is a core site for SK Innovation's manufacturing AX, integrating AI into refining and chemical processes to optimize operations, enhance safety, and improve energy efficiency.
The dual-brain concept at Ulsan CLX combines AI, which makes data-driven decisions, with the decades of experience accumulated by engineers on-site. The AI continuously monitors and analyzes all processes and equipment across the 2.5 million square meters of Ulsan CLX, allowing for rapid responses based on human judgment. This model is expected to be applicable to other manufacturing sites in the future.
SK Group has positioned itself as an 'AI full-stack provider' as part of its strategy, aiming to build a value chain that starts with semiconductors and encompasses AI data centers, energy, and services, ultimately leading to the application of manufacturing AX in real industrial settings.
Chey emphasized, "The SK AI Data Center in Ulsan is a cornerstone of our country's AI development, and I urge you to prioritize safety in its construction with pride." He added, "Ulsan CLX is the heart of SK Innovation, which is fundamental to SK Group, and I encourage you to continue your dedication to driving SK Group's AX innovation as you have done so far."
He further stated, "The SK AI Data Center in Ulsan, a symbol of AI infrastructure, and SK Innovation Ulsan CLX, which implements that AI in actual production, must ultimately connect to complete SK's vision of being an 'AI full-stack provider.' Let us lead the AI era through synergy among SK Group members."
After his on-site management, Chey is expected to participate in the '2026 Ulsan Forum' on September 11.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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