SK Chairman Chey Tae-won Champions AI Transformation in Business

SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won's recent emphasis on the necessity for businesses to adapt to the Artificial Intelligence (AI) era is a significant development. Speaking at CES 2024, Tae-won called for a swift overhaul of business models in response to the pace at which market demands are evolving due to AI innovations.

Chey Tae-won highlighted the unpredictable impact and speed of AI on businesses, stressing the need for flexibility and responsiveness. This new business landscape demands that even established companies consider transforming into AI-focused entities. He cited the example of SK Group, South Korea's second-largest conglomerate, which is already adapting its business strategy in various industries such as semiconductors and telecommunications to align with this new AI-driven era.

Tae-won's approach is multifaceted. At the core of his strategy is the development of comprehensive, packaged solutions for clients seeking AI-related products or services. This involves a shift from individual company interactions with clients to offering holistic and integrated services. Moreover, he emphasized the importance of partnerships in this journey, suggesting that a company alone cannot cater to all solutions, thereby underscoring the value of strategic collaborations.

The chairman's insights came after his visit to SK hynix Inc.’s facilities, where he oversaw the AI semiconductor business. He discussed the growth drivers of AI memory chips, including High Bandwidth Memory (HBM), emphasizing the need to adapt business and management plans rapidly. This visit underlines the group's commitment to staying at the forefront of AI technology and market trends.

Furthermore, Tae-won's advice to look at the industry from a customer perspective, especially the demand from big tech companies for data centers, shows his deep understanding of market dynamics. His interest in the group’s HBM business, a critical component of AI chips, and his visit to Silicon Valley for discussions on the status of HBM business, indicate his hands-on approach to guiding SK Group through this transformative period.

In conclusion, Chey Tae-won's leadership demonstrates a proactive and strategic approach to embracing AI. His call for a paradigm shift in business models, focusing on flexibility, partnerships, and customer-centric solutions, is a valuable blueprint for businesses looking to thrive in the AI era. As the leader of a major conglomerate, his actions and strategies offer a roadmap for other companies navigating similar transitions.

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