SK Telecom’s AI Native Plan Overhauls IT Systems, Builds 1GW Data Centers, Expands Model to 1T Parameters
SK Telecom CEO Jung Jai-hun unveiled the ‘AI Native’ strategy at MWC26, detailing an overhaul of IT systems for AI-driven autonomous network operations and AI-RAN to deliver ultra-low latency. It also allocates funds to build 1GW-class hyperscale AI data centers nationwide and expand its foundation model beyond one trillion parameters.
1. AI Native Strategy Overview
At MWC26 in Barcelona, CEO Jung Jai-hun introduced the ‘AI Native’ strategy, identifying customer value innovation and AI transformation as twin priorities to reshape SK Telecom’s telecommunications DNA into an AI-driven operating model.
2. IT Systems and Autonomous Networks
SK Telecom will reconstruct all integrated IT systems—including sales IT, line management, and billing—around AI, enforce a Zero Trust security framework, and deploy AI-driven autonomous network operations alongside AI-RAN technology to ensure ultra-fast, low-latency communications.
3. Customer Experience Redesign and AI Agents
The company will redesign services such as pricing, roaming, and memberships for simplicity and personalization, deploy an integrated AI agent across T world and online stores, enhance its AI Contact Center, develop AI Personas for behavioral insights, and evolve A. phone into an autonomous AI agent.
4. Hyperscale Data Centers and Model Expansion
SK Telecom plans 1GW-class hyperscale AI data centers nationwide, including a southwestern Korea facility with OpenAI, partnerships across SK affiliates for cost-efficient GPU clusters, global rollout of Petasus AI Cloud, and an upgrade of its sovereign AI model from 519B to over one trillion parameters with multimodal capabilities by H2 2026.