SK Telecom has unveiled a significant advancement in Korea’s artificial intelligence infrastructure with the launch of its new GPU-as-a-Service (GPUaaS), named ‘Haein.’ This monumental cluster comprises over 1,000 of the latest NVIDIA B200 GPUs, marking one of the largest GPU deployments in the country. This new service overtakes the previous H100-based offering, launched in late 2024, setting a new standard in Korea’s AI capabilities.
The cluster ‘Haein’, derives its name from the historic Haeinsa Temple, underscoring its strategic role in nurturing Korea’s sovereign AI infrastructure. In collaboration with the Ministry of Science and ICT, Haein aims to enhance computing resource utilization under the ‘Proprietary AI Foundation Model’ Project, thus augmenting Korea’s competitive edge on the global AI stage.
Beyond technical sophistication, the launch of Haein plays a vital role in SK Telecom’s strategic growth. The company is transforming its Gasan AI data center into a national hub for AI development. Key global partnerships have bolstered this effort. Collaborations with Penguin Solutions for integrated AI data center solutions and Supermicro for AI server procurement underscore strategic alliances in this venture.
A pivotal feature of this initiative lies in SK Telecom’s proprietary technologies. Utilizing the ‘Petasus AI Cloud’ virtualization solution, SK Telecom enables customizable and efficient GPU cluster configurations. The ‘AI Cloud Manager’ simultaneously enhances the service lifecycle management, optimizing operations from development to deployment and ensuring higher efficiency and user satisfaction.
This announcement aligns with Korea’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its AI landscape, ensuring its industries can compete on a global level. Such infrastructure is crucial for both the government and enterprises striving for innovation and competitive advantage.
“Haein’s GPUaaS will serve as a catalyst for enhancing both customer and national AI competitiveness,” said Kim Myoung Gook, Head of the GPUaaS Business Office at SK Telecom. “As an AI infrastructure provider, we are committed to building the nation’s AI superhighway.”
This enhancement builds on previous strategic expansions, including the recent launch in the Lambda Korea region. It’s part of SK Telecom’s broader GPUaaS business strategy, depicted as a critical component of Korea’s AI sector development.
