SK集团称将分阶段投资约1000万亿韩元建设15GW AI数据中心

SK Group Chairman Tae-won Choi said he will build AI data centers capable of significantly lowering artificial intelligence (AI) token costs. He also outlined a plan to pursue research and development (R&D) with the United States as a base, while investing in and partnering with local AI startups.
Choi made the remarks in an interview with the US technology platform "The Six Five," released on the 13th local time. The interview took place locally on the 10th of this month, the day SK hynix's American Depositary Receipts (ADR) were listed on the New York market.
In the interview, Choi said, "Our first goal is to reduce token costs." An AI token is the smallest basic unit of text used by AI models. Choi pointed out that the data processing costs companies must pay to develop and operate AI services, or that users must pay when using AI, remain high. "We will focus on building new AI data centers that can generate tokens far more cheaply and efficiently," he stressed.
In this regard, Choi introduced a plan to invest about 1,000 trillion won to build AI data centers totaling 15GW in phases, as part of three mega projects the government is currently pursuing. "We want to focus on creating new AI data centers that operate at lower costs while generating tokens more efficiently," Choi said. "To this end, we are talking with all our partners."
Choi explained that building an "AI society" with US investors and corporate partners is the key strategy to reduce token costs and hasten the arrival of an AI society. "We must join forces to find a technological breakthrough. Then we will actually be able to cut costs," he said. As concrete measures, he presented building new AI data centers that can generate tokens (the smallest unit of AI computation) more efficiently and expanding the plant in Indiana, US, which handles high bandwidth memory (HBM) packaging for AI. "Not many people know that we have already invested more than $35 billion in the US," Choi said, explaining his future plans. "Going forward, we will pursue R&D with the US as a base, and cooperate with and invest in numerous AI startups."
Regarding the outlook for AI technology, Choi said, "Today's AI is still incomplete." He pointed out, "If sufficient funds are not injected into the AI ecosystem, we could lose the enormous momentum we have now, and this is the biggest concern over the next five years." Choi also noted that governments must continue to inject funds until reaching the era of artificial general intelligence (AGI), warning that otherwise national security could be jeopardized.
He also explained the significance of the ADR listing. Choi assessed that SK hynix's US ADR listing on the Nasdaq market is meaningful in three aspects: securing financial options, improving governance structure, and expanding investment opportunities. Because the stock is traded not only in Korea but also in the US, the company can attract new talent and create new opportunities using its shares. "As US shareholders newly participate, we have also revamped our governance system," Choi said, giving the listing added significance.
Choi emphasized that he will personally step to the front line in the AI era. "Leaders like Nvidia's Jensen Huang and TSMC's C.C. Wei do not simply manage; they actually create opportunities," he said. "The same goes for me. When I became chairman, the chairman was the person who made the final decision at the end, but the approach is changing now. I have to step to the front line myself."