Telecom Majors Come Together To Form AI Alliance

The alliance aims to use AI to make a difference in the lives of global citizens

SK Telecom (SKT), Deutsche Telekom, e& and Singtel have formed the Global Telco AI Alliance to accelerate artificial intelligence (AI) transformation in the sector and create new business opportunities with AI services. The four telcos will jointly develop the Telco AI Platform by combining their respective technologies and capabilities.

The Telco AI Platform is expected to serve as the core foundation for new AI services, including those designed to improve the existing telco services, digital assistants, and super apps that offer a wide range of services. The telcos said they want to create a new customer experience and use AI to make a difference in the lives of global citizens.

The MOU signing ceremony took place in Seoul, Korea, with key executives from all four telcos in attendance, either in-person or online. Distinguished personalities present at the event included Claudia Nemat, Board Member Technology and Innovation at Deutsche Telekom, Hatem Dowidar, Group CEO of e&, Yuen Kuan Moon, Group CEO of Singtel, Chey Tae-won, Chairman of SK Group, and Ryu Young-sang, CEO of SKT.

“In order to make the most of the possibilities of generative AI for our customers and our industry, we want to develop industry-specific applications in the Global Telco AI Alliance,” said Claudia Nemat. “I am particularly pleased that this alliance also stands for bridging the gap between Europe and Asia and that we are jointly pursuing an open-vendor approach. Depending on the application, we can use the best technology. The founding of this alliance is an important milestone for our industry.”

“The launch of the Global Telco AI Alliance is meaningful in that it marks the beginning of a new journey to innovate our business models while growing together with our global partners,” said Ryu Young-sang. “Through collaborative efforts, we will accelerate AI transformation of all industries, provide new value and experience to our customers, and lead the growth of the global AI ecosystem.”

The four telcos also plan to support each other in operating AI services and apps in their respective markets and cooperate to build an ecosystem. The Global Telco AI Alliance Joint Working Group has been formed and will have detailed discussions on issues such as co-investment opportunities and the co-development of the Telco AI Platform.