SK Telecom Launches AI Assistant 'Aster' for North American Market

Seoul, South Korea - SK Telecom (NYSE: SKM) announced its new artificial intelligence assistant 'Aster(A*)' at the SK AI Summit 2024, targeting a North American launch through a closed beta later this year.

The AI-powered personal assistant, designed as an 'Agentic AI,' will assist users with task planning and execution beyond basic search and query functions.

The system can help users with complex requests, such as dinner party planning, by breaking tasks into structured steps and connecting users with relevant services.

SK Telecom's Head of Global/AI Tech Business, Chung Suk-geun, described Aster as a gateway to "an extensive AI ecosystem" through a single application.

The company is developing the service by optimizing its large language model (LLM) and Agent platforms to deliver personalized information and task execution capabilities.

The beta version will demonstrate features, including meal planning, recipe suggestions, and ingredient procurement assistance.

SK Telecom plans to expand Aster's functionality through partnerships with global search providers, LLM developers, and third-party applications to build a comprehensive AI ecosystem for the North American market.

The full market launch is scheduled for the year following the beta release.