SK Telecom partners with Kpler to develop AI-powered commodity intelligence

SK Telecom has forged a strategic partnership with global commodities data provider Kpler to develop AI-powered market intelligence capabilities, marking a significant step in the Korean telecom giant’s AI transformation strategy. The collaboration aims to create enterprise-grade intelligence solutions by integrating Kpler’s raw materials and logistics data with SK Telecom’s advanced AI platforms, positioning the company to deliver specialized insights for telecom operators navigating energy-intensive infrastructure transitions like 5G and edge computing deployments.

The big picture: SK Telecom signed a strategic memorandum of understanding with Kpler on April 2nd at Seoul’s Lotte Hotel, establishing a framework to leverage AI for cross-industry market intelligence.

• The partnership combines Kpler’s expertise in real-time trade insights across over 40 commodities markets with SK Telecom’s multi-LLM platform and proprietary AI systems.
• This collaboration supports SK Telecom’s joint development with SK C&C of an “AI Market Intelligence” platform designed to forecast price and supply trends for critical commodities.

Key details: The initiative builds on SK Telecom’s existing AI infrastructure, including its Multi-Agent Control Platform and in-house large language model, adot 4.0.

• The AI Market Intelligence platform will initially support SK Group affiliates before expanding to external enterprise clients across telecom, energy, semiconductors, and batteries.
• The platform is scheduled to launch in the first half of 2025, focusing primarily on forecasting trends for energy commodities like LNG, LPG, and crude oil.

Why this matters: Telecom operators increasingly need sophisticated market intelligence as they pursue energy-intensive infrastructure transitions and sustainability initiatives.

• Kpler’s data intelligence, which covers commodities and maritime logistics, provides insights that can help telecom companies optimize supply chains, mitigate risks, and identify global market opportunities.
• The partnership represents a strategic diversification for SK Telecom beyond traditional telecom services into high-value AI-powered business intelligence.

What they’re saying: Company leadership views the partnership as a milestone in embedding advanced AI into telecom decision systems.

• “This collaboration with Kpler strengthens SK Telecom’s ability to deliver high-impact AI intelligence tailored to the evolving needs of telecom and adjacent industries,” stated a company representative.
• Shin Yong-sik, VP and head of SK Telecom’s AIX division, emphasized that the MoU “accelerates the maturity of our market intelligence platform and sets the stage for new AI-driven services.”