SK Group is preparing to embark on its fourth quantum leap, through the construction of an artificial intelligence (AI) data center.

Since its founding in 1953 as a textile company, SK has undergone three transformative shifts — first into petrochemicals in 1980, then into mobile telecommunications in 1994, and most recently into semiconductors in 2012.

Building on this legacy, the group aims to establish Ulsan as a national hub for manufacturing-driven AI innovation, supporting President Lee Jae Myung’s initiative to position Korea among the world’s top three AI powerhouses.

On Friday in Ulsan, SK Group officially signed an agreement with global cloud leader Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Ulsan Metropolitan City to construct a hyperscale AI data center. The project marks a major milestone just one year after SK announced AI and semiconductors as its primary investment focus during its annual management strategy meeting.

Over the past two years, SK Group has reinforced its corporate foundation through a “selection and concentration” strategy — streamlining overlapping businesses, internalizing high-value assets and enhancing financial stability. As part of this transformation, the group announced a bold plan last year to invest 82 trillion won ($61 billion) in AI and semiconductor sectors by 2030.

The Ulsan AI Data Center represents a major step toward that vision. Set to become Korea’s first AI-dedicated data center, it is expected to begin full operations in 2027 and generate around 78,000 direct and indirect jobs.

The initiative brings together key SK Group affiliates — SK Telecom, SK Broadband, SK hynix, SK Gas, SK Chemicals, SK Multi Utility and SK AX — harnessing the group’s integrated strengths in information and communication technology, energy and semiconductors to build next-generation AI infrastructure.

SK Group and AWS have established a strategic partnership rooted in strong collaboration across the AI ecosystem. Under a 15-year cooperation agreement set to begin in 2027, the two companies will combine their respective strengths in data center construction, network operations, semiconductor supply chains and energy infrastructure to deliver a world-class AI and cloud computing environment.

With the Ulsan hub as a starting point, SK Group aims to accelerate the development of AI infrastructure across the country and support Korea’s emergence as a global AI leader. Ulsan’s manufacturing-driven economy and robust industrial base make it an optimal location for the initiative. The AI data center is expected to act as a catalyst for both regional and national economic growth by attracting related businesses, creating new jobs and drawing increased interest from global tech giants and domestic AI startups.

Beyond the AI data center, SK plans to accelerate its fourth quantum leap by embedding AI across all aspects of its business — from AI agents and robotics to manufacturing AI, energy solutions and AI-driven biotechnology.

“A company’s sustainable survival depends on how it adapts to AI,” SK Chairman Chey Tae-won said during the group’s management strategy meeting, held earlier this month. “Let us expand AI applications not only in IT sectors closely tied to AI business models but also across diverse fields such as electricity, energy and biotechnology.”

By: DocMemory
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