SK Telecom is partnering with an American quantum computing company to prepare for the AI and quantum era. By exchanging shares with IDQ, owned by SK Telecom and SK Square, they are solidifying their cooperative relationship.
On the 27th, SK Telecom announced a strategic alliance with IonQ, a U.S. quantum computing company, to work together on the development of the AI and quantum industries.
Quantum computers, which can process more data faster than traditional computers, are anticipated to provide optimized AI technologies and services with less power consumption when applied to AI.
IonQ, a leader in the field of quantum computing, has gained attention for developing ion trap technology with high stability and precision. This technology traps charged ions with an electric field and controls them with lasers. SK Telecom has signed a memorandum of understanding with IonQ to prepare for the ultra-advanced AI era based on quantum computing.
Through the memorandum of understanding, SK Telecom plans to enhance its AI business competitiveness by combining its AI technologies—such as ADot and Esther, PAA, AI Data Center, GPU Cloud Service, and Edge AI—with IonQ’s quantum computing technology, as well as quantum encryption technologies like QKD and PQC.
To facilitate cooperation with IonQ, SK Telecom and SK Square will swap shares of the global quantum encryption company ID Quantique (IDQ) with IonQ. This share exchange establishes a close business collaboration between SK Telecom and IonQ.
SK Telecom will continue to cooperate with IDQ in the quantum encryption communication field even after the share exchange. They plan to strengthen their leadership in the domestic quantum encryption market through continuous collaboration and development of technology and products.
SK Telecom CEO Yu Young-sang stated, “Quantum technology is an essential component for AI advancement, not a choice,” and emphasized that SK Telecom will continue proactive investments and collaborations to become a leading company in AI.