Science ministry launches AI data center alliance with SKT

The science ministry on Wednesday launched a national alliance to accelerate the industrialization of artificial intelligence data centers, appointing SK Telecom Chief Executive Jung Jae-heon as its first private co-chair.

The Artificial Intelligence Data Center Alliance brings together more than 400 companies and institutions to support the construction of 18.4 gigawatts of large-scale facilities announced in June, serving as the implementation vehicle for the government's national strategy to turn the sector into a key export industry.

Operating through three subcommittees focused on demand, supply and infrastructure, the group will work to enhance domestic competitiveness in power, cooling, semiconductor and cloud technologies while developing strategies to export these capabilities as integrated packages.

Naver Cloud, LG Electronics and Kakao will lead the respective subcommittees, which are tasked with securing reference cases for local solutions, standardizing interoperability across the ecosystem, and improving legal frameworks and talent cultivation.

"The AI Data Center Alliance is the start of a solidarity that will lead the global market in the AI era, and will be the cornerstone for South Korea to rise as an indispensable AI data center industrial powerhouse," Jung said.

Vice Finance Minister Kwon Dae-young pledged active financial support through the National Growth Fund given the unprecedented scale of investment required for the gigawatt-class projects.

Science Minister Bae Kyung-hoon emphasized that the body would ensure massive investments translate into broader industrial competitiveness in design, construction and operation rather than simply filling server rooms with hardware.