BARCELONA — SK telecom is stepping up global artificial intelligence collaboration on the sidelines of MWC26 in Barcelona, positioning itself as a key architect of next-generation AI infrastructure.
The company said on March 3 that CEO Ryu Young-sang has been meeting with executives from leading global telecom operators during the event to discuss cooperation in core areas including AI data centers (AI DC), AI models and next-generation networks. Discussions have focused on redefining the role of telecom operators in the AI era and shaping a shared vision for the industry.
On March 2 (local time), SK telecom hosted an AI data center conference under the theme “Redesigning Telecom Infrastructure in the AI Transition.” The event was attended by Ryu, along with Jung Seok-geun, head of SKT’s AI CIC, Bill Chang, CEO of Singtel Digital InfraCo, Sabri Albreiki, CTO of e& international, and Tadao Yanase, Chief Business Development Officer at NTT.
In his keynote address, Ryu emphasized that telecom operators’ infrastructure and operational expertise form the foundation for the expansion of AI. “Telecom companies must evolve beyond simple data carriers to become designers and leaders of AI infrastructure,” he said.
During the conference, SK telecom introduced its broader AI strategy, including group-level AI data center infrastructure within SK Group, its proprietary AI foundation model A.X K1, and a “Sovereign AI Package” designed to integrate industrial and enterprise AI services.
The Sovereign AI Package strategy aims to help countries build and operate AI infrastructure under their own control, develop localized AI models tailored to language and culture, and deploy AI services validated in real industrial environments. The initiative seeks to secure national AI sovereignty while accelerating industrial innovation.
Panel discussions addressed the complex requirements of building AI data centers, including large-scale power supply, high-performance computing equipment and ultra-fast networks. Participants agreed that closer cooperation among telecom operators would be essential to building infrastructure more efficiently.
SK telecom also expanded its global partnership network through bilateral business meetings. Ryu met with Hatem Dowidar, CEO of e&, and Harrison Lung, Chief Strategy Officer, to discuss strengthening strategic partnerships in the expansion of AI infrastructure.
On March 3 (local time), Ryu is scheduled to meet Christel Heydemann, CEO of Orange, and Bruno Zerbib, the company’s Chief Technology and Innovation Officer. The meeting marks the first official CEO-level engagement between SK telecom and Orange Group, which serves approximately 340 million subscribers worldwide.
The company is also deepening AI collaboration with Deutsche Telekom, a key partner in Europe. Ryu is set to meet CEO Tim Höttges to share plans for AI data center development, experience in building the A.X K1 model and progress in AI-RAN technologies, while exploring further areas of cooperation.
“Competitiveness in the AI era depends not only on technology itself, but on how infrastructure is designed and interconnected,” Ryu said. “We will work with global telecom operators to build a trusted AI infrastructure and service ecosystem.”
