The SK Telecom headquarters (Image courtesy of SK Telecom)
SEOUL, Feb. 27 (Korea Bizwire) — SK Telecom Co., South Korea’s biggest telecommunications company, said Thursday it has partnered with U.S.-based quantum computing firm IonQ to collaborate on artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing.
Under a memorandum of understanding (MOU), SK Telecom plans to integrate IonQ’s quantum computing technology with its own AI capabilities, including its personal AI agent services, such as A. and Aster, AI data centers and graphic processing unit-as-a-service (GPUaaS) solutions.
Quantum computing, which can process vast amounts of data significantly faster than traditional computers, is expected to enhance AI solutions by making them more efficient and power-effective.
IonQ specializes in quantum computing based on trapped ion technology, a leading approach that could provide high stability and accuracy for quantum operations.
As part of the collaboration, SK Telecom and SK Square, an investment company under SK Group, will exchange their shares in ID Quantique (IDQ), a global quantum cryptography firm, for shares in IonQ.
This strategic move helps IonQ acquire a controlling stake in IDQ.
“Quantum technology is not an option but an essential element for the advancement of AI,” Ryu Young-sang, chief executive officer (CEO) of SK Telecom, said. “SK Telecom will continue to make proactive investments and collaborations to become a leading company in the AI field.”
(Yonhap)
