"Telecom Firms Must Invest Actively to Build an AI Data Center Ecosystem"

[Financial News] It has been pointed out that telecom companies need to invest actively to expand core artificial intelligence (AI) computing infrastructure, including graphics processing units (GPUs) and neural processing units (NPUs), and to build a sustainable AI data center ecosystem.
At the 10th AI Future Value Forum, hosted by the Korea Telecommunications Operators Association (KTOA) on the 18th at Cellas Hall in the KTOA Building in Samseong-dong, Gangnam District, Kim Sang-jin, director of policy planning at the National AI Strategy Committee, gave a presentation titled "The Journey Toward a Top-three AI Nation." He explained the government's progress on the Artificial Intelligence Action Plan and its future roadmap, and made the remarks.
Kim said, "We will build AI infrastructure equipped with computing, data and security, while boldly overhauling regulations on the use of personal information and unopened industrial data to create an AI-friendly Korean regulatory environment where data can flow freely."
During the full discussion, experts from industry, academia and research took part under the moderation of Lee Sung-yeob, professor at Korea University Professional Graduate School of Technology Management and chair of the forum. They discussed the impact and implications of the government's action plan on the telecommunications industry. The experts agreed that telecom operators will play a crucial role in the convergence of AI across industries and in advancing infrastructure, and stressed the need for proactive regulatory improvements and a legal foundation that can help energize the domestic industrial ecosystem.
Professor Lee said, "For the government's Artificial Intelligence Action Plan to lead to tangible industrial results, regulatory rationalization that removes uncertainty and the creation of an AI legal environment that supports the National AI Transformation are key." He added, "Public-private governance must be operated more closely in step with the pace of technological innovation."
The AI Future Value Forum is an industry-academia-research consultative body launched to seek sustainable development for South Korea's AI ecosystem and directions for reasonable policy and institutional reform.
This 10th meeting was organized to share the current status and future strategic direction of the Artificial Intelligence Action Plan announced by the National AI Strategy Committee in February 2026, and to identify the resulting impact and implications for the telecommunications industry in order to support telecom operators in establishing effective business strategies.
Song Jae-sung, vice chairman of KTOA, said, "For the government's Artificial Intelligence Action Plan to take root successfully, solid infrastructure cooperation with telecom operators is essential." He added, "Based on the implications discussed at this forum, KTOA will faithfully serve as a bridge so that member companies can develop effective business strategies aligned with the national AI strategy."
mkchang@fnnews.com Jang Min-kwon Reporter