SK Group chairman calls for AI-led growth amid industrial revolution

IANS June 22, 2025 369 views

SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won emphasizes AI as a key driver for future growth, aligning with the company's massive investment plans. The group is partnering with AWS to build a hyperscale AI data center in Ulsan, expected to generate thousands of jobs. This move strengthens SK Group's position in AI infrastructure, semiconductors, and cloud computing. The initiative reflects Korea's push to become a global leader in AI-driven industrial transformation.

"The sustainable survival of companies depends on how they adapt to AI" – Chey Tae-won
Seoul, June 22: 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 on Sunday.

Key Points

1

SK Group plans $59.7B AI and semiconductor investment by 2030

2

Partners with AWS for hyperscale AI data center in Ulsan

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Facility to create 78,000 jobs and boost AI infrastructure

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AI integration spans IT, energy, biotech, and robotics

"The sustainable survival of companies depends on how they adapt to AI," Chey was quoted as saying during a recent groupwide business strategy meeting. "We should broaden our 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, spanning AI data centers, AI agents, robotics, manufacturing, energy and bio, reports Yonhap news agency.

The group 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 last week unveiled a partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to build a hyperscale AI data center in Ulsan, about 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.

The project brought together key SK Group affiliates, including SK Telecom Co., SK hynix Inc. and SK Gas, combining the group's strengths in ICT, energy and semiconductors.

The new data center is expected to enhance the group's capabilities to meet 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."

—IANS

Reader Comments

Here are 6 diverse Indian perspective comments for the article:
R
Rajiv K.
Impressive vision by SK Group! India should take notes on such bold AI investments. Our IT giants need to match this scale of commitment to stay competitive globally. The job creation potential is massive too - 78,000 jobs is no small number! 🇮🇳
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Priya M.
While this is exciting, I worry India is falling behind in the AI race. Our startups are innovative but lack the massive funding like this $59 billion investment. Government needs to create better policies to attract such tech investments here. Jai Hind!
A
Arjun S.
Interesting how they're applying AI beyond just IT - to energy and biotech. In India, we mostly talk about AI in software. Maybe we need this broader vision too. Our energy sector especially could benefit from AI solutions for better efficiency.
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Sunita R.
The AWS partnership is smart! Indian companies should also collaborate more with global cloud providers. But we must ensure data sovereignty - that's where our Digital India policies can make a difference. Data centers are indeed national assets 💪
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Vikram J.
Good for Korea, but India has different challenges. We need AI solutions tailored for our local problems - agriculture, healthcare access, language diversity. Blindly copying foreign models won't work. Our approach must be 'Make AI for India'.
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Neha T.
The scale of this project is mind-blowing! But I hope they consider environmental impact too. AI data centers consume massive electricity. India should learn both from their tech ambition AND ensure sustainable practices in our own AI growth. 🌱

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SK Group Chey Tae-won AI investment industrial revolution AWS partnership semiconductor data center