KT, Microsoft Strengthen Partnership to Drive South Korea's AI Innovation

Philip Lee -

Seoul, South Korea—KT (NYSE: KT) announced on Wednesday that it has expanded its strategic partnership with Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) to accelerate artificial intelligence transformation (AX) across South Korean industries and enhance national AI capabilities.

The announcement was made during the Microsoft AI Tour in Seoul, where KT showcased the progress it has made since establishing its partnership with Microsoft in September 2024. 

The telecommunications company demonstrated six AX solutions at its exhibition area within the event's premium partner zone.

During the AI Tour keynote address, Microsoft CEO and Chairman Satya Nadella revealed plans to launch a nationwide "AI Skilling Initiative" with KT to improve AI literacy throughout South Korea. 

The companies have previously agreed to establish AI education centers and develop specialized training curricula.

KT plans to launch an AX Delivery Specialist Center, where elite professionals will collaborate with Microsoft experts to facilitate AI innovation across South Korean industries.

KT CEO Young-Shub Kim and Microsoft's Satya Nadella met at KT's office in Gwanghwamun to discuss strategies for industry-wide AI transformation and strengthening national AI competitiveness.

The companies are jointly developing "Korean AI," which incorporates an understanding of Korean thinking patterns, emotions, history, philosophy, and society. 

KT aims to launch this technology commercially in the second quarter of 2025.

The strategic partnership between KT and Microsoft, established in September 2024, is a five-year, multi-trillion-won collaboration covering AI, cloud technologies, and IT business cooperation. 

The partnership focuses on five key areas: developing Korean AI, creating KT Secure Public Cloud, establishing the AX Delivery Specialist Center, strengthening AI R&D capabilities across South Korea's technology ecosystem, and advancing KT's AICT (AI and ICT) capabilities.

Earlier this month at MWC25, KT announced its ambition to lead South Korea's AX acceleration.