SKT, 피지컬 AI 스타트업과 손잡고 로보틱스 생태계 키운다
SK Telecom will provide its A.X K1 API to three AI startups under the government’s ‘2026 All Challenge AX-LLM’ program to develop real-world AI services by year-end, aiming to expand domestic AI ecosystem collaboration.
The useful question is what changes for users, developers or buyers, and whether the announcement stays industry context or becomes something people can actually use.
SK Telecom announced on June 26 that it will support three domestic AI startups with access to its A.X K1 API under the Ministry of SMEs and Startups’ ‘2026 All Challenge AX-LLM’ initiative. The program assists startups in integrating and validating services using domestic AI foundation models, with SK Telecom participating as one of seven demand companies. The collaboration aims to broaden the application of SK Telecom’s A.X K1 model, developed as part of the government’s independent AI foundation project, and gather diverse use cases.
The selected startups—TeamLimited, PerSelly, and DevAllCompany—were chosen through a review process involving SK Telecom and external experts. TeamLimited specializes in personalized shopping curation agents based on receipt platforms, PerSelly offers AI-driven influencer marketing automation solutions, and DevAllCompany provides AI solutions for delinquent debt management. SK Telecom will provide the A.X K1 API to these startups through year-end, supporting the development and validation of AI services tailored for customer-facing applications.
The initiative is aligned with SK Telecom’s ‘SKTCH with AI’ startup acceleration program, which will assist in service enhancement and business model validation. Each startup will use the API to develop AI services that can be tested in real-world customer environments during the collaboration period. The goal is to transition their services to the A.X K1 model and prepare for potential full-scale business partnerships with SK Telecom.
SK Telecom’s Executive Vice President of Sustainable Management, Eom Jong-hwan, stated that the collaboration aims to expand the use of the company’s proprietary AI model and contribute to revitalizing Korea’s AI ecosystem. The program reflects SK Telecom’s ongoing efforts to support domestic AI innovation through practical, demand-driven partnerships with startups.