SKT Pushes Forward AX Startup Support... Providing 'A.X K1' API

SK Telecom is advancing its AI transition (AX) business by offering its 'A.X K1' API to support domestic startups, participating in the government-led '2026 AX-LLM' initiative with three selected startups to foster AI ecosystem development and industry collaboration. The AX-LLM project, aimed at facilitating technology collaboration and industry ecosystem formation, involves seven companies, including SK Telecom, Upside, LG AI Research Center, NC AI, KT, Naver Cloud, and Oracle. Startups select a participating company, which then selects the collaboration partners, with SK Telecom receiving the most applications and selecting three startups. These startups focus on personalized shopping agents, AI-driven influencer marketing, and debt management solutions. SK Telecom will provide the 'A.X K1' API until the end of the year, supporting service development and commercialization through its 'SKTCH with AI' program. The company aims to transition existing services to AI-based solutions, develop customer-facing AI services, and explore collaboration opportunities through proof-of-concept projects. The 'A.X K1' model, developed as part of a government-led AI foundation model project, is being expanded for use by startups and developers, with SKT's CEO emphasizing the importance of startup collaboration in enhancing AI ecosystem growth.