SK executives back 'AI flywheel' plan at 2026 CEO seminar

SK said on November 15 that it held its “2026 CEO Seminar” from November 12 to 14 at the SKMS Research Institute in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, where top executives discussed an “AI flywheel” strategy aimed at the token economy.

About 50 top executives attended, including Chairman Chey Tae-won, Senior Vice Chairman Chey Jae-won and SK Supex Council Chairman Chey Chang-won. According to techm.kr, the discussions centered on a chain in which AI semiconductors lead to AI factories, which in turn lead to AI power and energy infrastructure and AI service demand.

Chey Tae-won said SK must redefine itself as an “AI company” and build an AI flywheel structure connecting AI services to the token economy. He added that the AI era cannot be handled alone and that open cooperation with global partners is essential.

Affiliates press ahead with AI adoption

SK will continue “Portfolio Rebalancing 2.0,” balancing financial soundness with future investment, and will accelerate practical AI transformation at each affiliate. SK hynix is evolving toward “smart fabs” that combine AI with digital twins, while SK Telecom is pursuing AI-based network and service automation.

SK Innovation improved yields at its Ulsan CLX through a process ontology, and SK Gas is using AI to speed up decision-making. On October 29, SK hynix held a Partners Day in Japan, its first such event in the country.