Sunghwan Choi, president of SK Networks, highlights technological cooperation between South Korea and the UK during a strategic meeting in Seoul
On its way to transforming into a holding company focused on artificial intelligence, SK Networks has intensified its international collaboration efforts. In this context, Sunghwan Choi, president and CEO of the South Korean company, met this week with former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to explore avenues for technological and business cooperation between the two countries.
The meeting took place at The Shilla Seoul hotel on Tuesday, May 20, and served as a platform to discuss global trends and the future of AI as a driver of economic and scientific development. According to SK Networks, both political and business perspectives were addressed, emphasizing the importance of synergies between the public and private sectors to advance in the field of artificial intelligence.
Global Strategies and AI Expansion
During the meeting, Choi shared some of the most innovative AI adoption cases driven by SK Group and SK Networks, highlighting the strategic role of Hico Capital, founded in Silicon Valley in 2020 and now known as SK Networks Americas. This subsidiary has served as a bridge for making global technology investments and establishing partnerships focused on the so-called “Hicosystem”, a human-oriented ecosystem aimed at future growth sectors.
Choi expressed confidence that, following the current trend, the AI developed by SK Networks will find new expansion opportunities in the UK and Europe, contributing to the progress of civilization.
Highlighted Projects: NAMUHx and PhnyX Lab
Among the company’s most recent projects is NAMUHx, a brand that emerged from SK Magic’s resources and is managed independently under the supervision of SK Networks. NAMUHx presented an AI-powered air purification and vital signs monitoring system in April, which was enthusiastically received at its showcase. The official launch in Korea is scheduled for July, with plans to expand into markets like the United States and Malaysia.
Additionally, PhnyX Lab, an AI startup with talent from Silicon Valley under SK’s umbrella, has developed Cheiron, a modular solution based on RAG (retrieval augmented generation) specifically designed for the pharmaceutical sector. This tool promises to transform drug development with greater speed and accuracy.
During the meeting, Sunak emphasized the transformative potential of AI in the biomedical field: “Artificial intelligence is key to revolutionizing drug development, and technologies like Cheiron can play a crucial role in helping millions of patients worldwide.”
Towards a Global Innovation Network
The meeting between Choi and Sunak not only reaffirms SK Networks’ intention to position itself as a leading player in AI, but also reflects a broader company strategy: to strengthen ties with influential figures and consolidate strategic alliances globally. These actions not only elevate corporate value but also reinforce its presence in key sectors like healthcare, sustainability, and advanced technology.
The South Korean company anticipates that these collaborations will serve as a catalyst for its technological expansion plans and its evolution as a group focused on artificial intelligence.