SK Telecom AI Division Launches Voluntary Retirement Amid Reorganization
SK Telecom's AI Unit Initiates Voluntary Retirement Program After Restructuring
South Korean telecom leader SK Telecom is making swift organizational changes in its newly established AI division, known as AI CIC (Company-in-Company), just weeks after its official launch. In a move aimed at unifying and streamlining the company’s diverse AI-related businesses, SK Telecom has introduced a voluntary retirement program for employees within the division.
What’s Behind the Voluntary Retirement Offer?
The voluntary retirement initiative is part of a broader plan to consolidate all AI-focused units under the AI CIC umbrella. According to a company spokesperson, this program is a supportive measure rather than a downsizing effort. Employees whose responsibilities, teams, or locations may be affected by the restructuring are eligible to participate. Importantly, there are no forced layoffs: all departures are on a voluntary basis.
- The program is open to staff at all levels, from junior to senior positions.
- Employees who stay may be reassigned to different roles or regional offices.
- Severance packages will reportedly vary depending on tenure and position.
AI CIC: Centralizing SK Telecom's AI Ambitions
The newly formed AI CIC aims to bring together SK Telecom’s various AI initiatives, reducing redundancies and enabling more efficient operations. The division is responsible for:
- Developing SK Telecom’s personal AI assistant, A. ("A-dot")
- Managing AI data center operations
- Overseeing enterprise AI solutions
- Driving global AI partnerships and investments
This strategic integration is expected to lead to role transitions, organizational realignments, and possible relocations as overlapping functions are streamlined.
Growth Ambitions and Recent AI Initiatives
SK Telecom has set ambitious targets for its AI division, aiming to generate annual revenues of ₩5 trillion (around $3.5 billion) by 2030. The company expects growth to be fueled by both B2C and B2B AI services and supporting infrastructure.
Recent moves include the launch of Nvidia Blackwell GPU-as-a-service for AI infrastructure, and a partnership with OpenAI to develop AI data centers as part of the 'Stargate Korea' initiative. These efforts underscore the company’s commitment to being a central player in the region’s AI ecosystem.
What’s Next?
As SK Telecom navigates this major organizational shift, the exact impact of the voluntary retirement program remains uncertain, with no internal targets set for the number of participants. The company continues to prioritize supporting affected employees and aligning its workforce with its bold AI vision.
