SK Telecom is piloting a domestic AI chip in collaboration with Korean firm Rebellions to improve its AI services. This venture focuses on achieving self-reliance in AI hardware and software, strengthening Korea’s position in the global AI landscape.
The core technology in question is Rebellions’ ATOM chip, a neural processing unit (NPU) built for AI data centers, which SK Telecom is testing across various AI-driven services. These services include call summarization via the digital assistant A., spam filtering, financial analysis with the PASS assistant, and veterinary diagnostics using X Caliber.
Initial outcomes from this trial will guide the integration of Rebellions’ next-generation chip, ATOM-Max, designed for large-scale AI inference, into commercial use later this year. The aim is to expand deployment of NPU-powered servers based on testing phase results. The collaboration represents a step towards localizing AI technology in Korea, aiming to create a fully domestic AI stack from large language models (LLM) to semiconductors.
In the words of Lee Sang-min, head of SK Telecom’s access network development, “This is not just a technical integration, but a strategic move to reinforce Korea’s AI independence.” Emphasizing the importance of domestic AI technologies for national competitiveness, this endeavor is a significant strategic move.
The ATOM-Max chip also promises to be a cost-effective alternative to general-purpose GPUs for certain AI tasks. Rebellions CEO Park Sung-hyun highlighted, “The fact that a domestic AI chip is being applied to SK Telecom’s services operating on a domestic LLM is a milestone beyond technological maturity to signal real progress toward a self-sufficient AI ecosystem.”
This partnership between SK Telecom and Rebellions is set to deepen, focusing on expanding the adoption of locally developed AI solutions. The broader ambition is for Korea to secure a top position among global AI powerhouses by developing stable and energy-efficient AI infrastructure.
