KT announced on the 27th that it has established a strategic partnership worth 130 billion won with Viettel Group, a state-owned corporation in Vietnam, to expand its artificial intelligence (AI) business in the Southeast Asian market. Viettel Group is a global telecommunications and technology corporation that provides various services to 138 million customers in 11 countries, including Viettel Telecom, the largest telecommunications company in Vietnam, as well as Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
On the 26th (local time) in Hanoi, Vietnam, KT signed a strategic partnership for AI transformation (AX) cooperation with Viettel Group. The ceremony was attended by Kim Young-seop, CEO of KT, and Tao Duc Thang, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Viettel Group.
Before the ceremony, Kim Young-seop, CEO of KT, met with Nguyen Chi Dung, Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam, and Vu Thi Phuong Anh, Vice Minister of Science and Technology, to discuss measures to enhance Vietnam's AX national competitiveness.
Through this agreement, KT and Viettel Group will cooperate in six key areas: ▲ AX consulting ▲ AI business development ▲ launching solutions for consumers and small businesses ▲ AI data centers and cloud infrastructure ▲ AX capabilities and global development centers ▲ joint market entry. The main content of this partnership is to promote the expansion of the AX business through practical cooperation worth approximately 130 billion won. Viettel Group, which recorded approximately $7.34 billion (about 10.28 trillion won) in revenue last year, is pushing to transform from a telecommunications company into a 'technology corporation' centered on next-generation technologies such as AI, cloud computing, and cybersecurity.
KT plans to provide systematic AX consulting to help Viettel Group achieve its AI transformation goals. The company noted, 'In order to conduct sophisticated consulting, we will jointly develop a mid- to long-term AX strategy and execution roadmap with Viettel Group' and added, 'In the field of AI business, we will utilize KT's AI technology to create a national AI model, Vietnam-specific AI agents, and voice phishing prevention solutions.' Viettel Group will showcase specialized services that can be beneficial to customers and small businesses in Vietnam based on this.
KT plans to establish an AI-specific data center (AIDC) and a GPU farm (a computer system that connects graphics processing units to quickly handle complex calculations) through this collaboration. A joint venture (JV) will also be pursued to accelerate the growth of AX business capabilities. In addition, a global development center (GDC) will be established in Hanoi to actively utilize excellent local AX and IT personnel. The project to expand the KT AI education platform 'AICE' across Vietnam is also underway.
Tao Duc Thang, Chairman of Viettel Group, stated, 'Viettel Group and KT have initiated a strategic partnership through close cooperation' and added, 'Based on KT's advanced technology and Viettel's deep understanding of the local market, we will provide modern solutions to Vietnam and the international markets in which Viettel operates.'
Kim Young-seop, CEO of KT, said, 'This partnership will support Viettel Group's successful AX transformation through AX consulting and training AI experts and will promote comprehensive innovation in Vietnam and the Southeast Asian region.' He added, 'As an 'AI innovation partner,' KT will accelerate the growth of the AX business in domestic and global markets.'