SK Telecom announced Tuesday that it has joined the MIT GenAI Impact Consortium to advance research on commercializing generative AI technologies and industry-specific applications.

The founding members include global leaders such as OpenAI, Coca-Cola, Tata Group, Analog Devices and TWG Global Holdings. The consortium will finalize its plans for the core projects and begin research by the end of this year.

SK Telecom will work alongside MIT researchers to explore AI advancements in information and communications technology, semiconductors and bio-energy. By strengthening its partnership with OpenAI, the company will also focus on generative AI, analog devices and AI semiconductors.

A key area of SK Telecom’s research will be AI-driven personal assistants, AI data centers and next-generation AI applications such as physical AI. In line with this, the company plans to launch its AI-powered personal assistant, Aster, by March, leveraging MIT’s expertise to refine the service for the US market.

Anantha Chandrakasan, dean of MIT’s School of Engineering and chief innovation and strategy officer, emphasized the consortium’s mission: “We’re pleased to serve as a bridge between industry leaders and academia. Our goal is to guide global society toward an ideal future under AI’s transformative influence.”

Yoo Young-sang, CEO of SK Telecom, added, “As a founding member of the MIT GenAI Impact Consortium, we are excited to collaborate with MIT’s world-class faculty and top-tier global companies. Through strong global partnerships, we will drive AI innovation across all sectors of SK Telecom.”

By Park Min-ha (en23mp@heraldcorp.com)