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- Signed an MOU for business-academia collaboration with SNU Graduate School of Data Science in AI and big data.
  ∙∙∙ to promote information and infrastructure sharing, research manpower exchange and academic exchange
- “Increased customer convenience and satisfaction will be sought applying AI and other technologies to ICT rental services.”

SK networks is partnering with an SNU research institute to unite business with digital technologies.

SK networks and SNU Graduate School of Data Science signed an MOU for business-academia collaboration in AI and big data on May 21st, 2020 at Myeongdong head office with the attendance of concerned parties. They also announced that this MOU will lead to establishing a collaborative research system in the future.

According to this MOU, activities that will be engaged by SK networks in collaboration with SNU Graduate School of Data Science include: joint research on big data and AI; research information and infrastructure sharing; academic exchange, e.g., symposiums, workshops, etc.; and, research manpower exchange through internships, on-site projects, etc.

SK networks has been working on enhancing digital capabilities and developing business models that fit the latest trends, as CEO Shin-won Choi himself highlighted that, “Digital technologies should be united with company processes and business models to achieve innovations in all business areas.”

In this regard, the DSG (Data Scientist Group) and DT (Digital Transformation) Agent were formed in 2017 specifically for this purpose. Last year, a company data use capability system was established and activities are in progress with the aim to upgrade digital use capabilities of members of the entire organization.

In addition, the Internet of Things (IoT) technology was blended into the development and operation of Smart Link, a total vehicle management solution.  Additionally, a newly released service requires only the vehicle registration number to retrieve tire size information. The company has also suggested a new used phone distribution culture through Mintit ATM, the first artificial intelligence (AI)-based machine in the country for purchasing used phones without any person-to-person contact, and introduced to its customers various home appliances including motion air purifier with IoT and AI functions through SK magic.

SK networks plans to use this business-academia agreement as a basis to push the company’s digital transformation further and achieve a balance between theory and practice.

“With this MOU, customer convenience and satisfaction can be increased because opportunities for product and service development using AI and IoT are expanding in all business areas including ICT and rental services,” said an SK networks executive who added, “We will study further to identify applications in more fields such as corporate culture and in-house training other than business areas so that innovations can also be achieved in the way we work.”

[Image Description] SK networks signed an MOU with SNU Graduate School of Data Science on the 21st for business-academia collaboration in AI and big data. Sung-hwan Choi, Head of SK networks Planning Dept. (on the left) and Sang-kyun Cha, Dean of SNU Graduate School of Data Science celebrate the MOU conclusion.