SK Telecom to enter generative AI market with large language model

SK Telecom announced on Wednesday that it will provide tailored generative AI services to businesses and public agencies using various advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.

The company plans to offer a combination of its proprietary large language model (LLM) "A.," which it developed in response to the needs of businesses and organizations seeking to introduce generative AI, along with the US-based Anthropic's "Claude," known for its strength in processing large text inputs and Konan Technology's "Konan LLM," which has rich Korean language data.

SK Telecom invested $100 million in Anthropic on Aug. 13, and last year, it secured around a 20% stake in Konan Technology, positioning itself as the second-largest shareholder.

"We will pursue a multi-LLM business strategy that includes our proprietary LLM as well as proven third-party LLMs in the industry," a company source said. Among the global tech giants, Amazon, for instance, introduced its own LLM "Titan" and a combined use of other companies' LLMs named "Bedrock." 

SK Telecom is also preparing to participate in LLM-based projects initiated by government ministries such as the Ministry of Public Administration and Security and the Ministry of Science and ICT. The company is also progressing with LLM service building projects primarily in the financial services sector.

Write to Seung-Woo Lee at leeswoo@hankyung.com