Elevating National AI Literacy Through Education

Following their strategic alliance established in September of the previous year, KT and Microsoft are intensifying their collaboration, particularly in the realm of education. This initiative, unveiled at the Microsoft AI Tour in Seoul, aims to cultivate national AI capabilities by extending educational opportunities to a broader audience.

During his keynote address at the AI Tour,Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella emphasized the importance of the AI Skilling Initiative,a joint effort with KT designed to enhance AI literacy among Korean citizens. This initiative builds upon a shared understanding between the two companies regarding the necessity of establishing a dedicated AI Education Center and developing specialized educational curricula.

The need for AI skills is becoming increasingly critical.According to a recent report by the World Economic Forum, AI and machine learning specialists are among the most in-demand roles across industries. This collaboration between KT and Microsoft seeks to address this growing demand by equipping individuals with the necessary skills to thrive in an AI-driven world.

AX Delivered Center: Spearheading AI Transformation in Korea

KT is poised to launch the AX Delivered Center (tentative name), a specialized unit dedicated to driving AI transformation (AX) across Korean industries.This center will collaborate closely with Microsoft experts to foster innovation and accelerate the adoption of AI solutions.

The partnership also focuses on internal innovation, solution development, and market expansion strategies. By leveraging Microsoft’s expertise and global reach,KT aims to empower Korean businesses with cutting-edge AI technologies and solutions.

Korean AI: A Culturally Clever Approach

KT and Microsoft are jointly developing Korean AI, an AI model trained on Korean history, beliefs, and societal nuances. this initiative aims to create AI solutions that are not only technologically advanced but also culturally sensitive and relevant to the Korean context. The goal is to commercialize this unique AI model in the second quarter of this year.

The development of Korean AI reflects a growing trend towards creating AI systems that are tailored to specific cultural contexts. This approach recognizes that AI is not a one-size-fits-all solution and that cultural understanding is crucial for ensuring its effective and ethical deployment.

AX Leader Summit: Fostering Cross-Industry Collaboration

KT and Microsoft convened the AX Leader Summit, bringing together prominent leaders from various sectors, including POSCO Group, Korea Development Bank, Shinhan Financial Group, HD Hyundai, EBS, and Hyundai Motor Group. The summit facilitated in-depth discussions on leveraging AI and cloud technologies to create synergistic opportunities across industries.

KT showcased successful case studies of international companies that have achieved significant business outcomes through the implementation of Microsoft’s solutions. This exchange of knowledge and best practices aims to inspire and guide Korean businesses in their own AI transformation journeys.

We are developing AX solutions based on strategic partnerships with Microsoft such as Korean AI and KT SPC, and we will deepen our cooperation in the future.

Kim Young-seop, CEO of KT

strategic Partnership: A Foundation for Innovation

The five-year strategic partnership between KT and Microsoft, initiated in September of last year, encompasses collaboration across AI, cloud, and IT domains.Key areas of cooperation include:

• Development of Korean AI
• Development of KT SECURE PUBLIC Cloud (KT SPC)
• KT’s AICT leap

In January, KT and Microsoft Korea conducted a B2B AX business strategy workshop, signaling their commitment to driving tangible AI transformation within the domestic industry.