SK Telecom to Showcase AI and Metaverse Technologies at 'World IT Show 2021'

An SKT promotional model introducing the WIS 2021 SKT exhibition booth prepared under the theme of 'A Future Filled with Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality.'

[Asia Economy Reporter Eunmo Koo] SK Telecom announced on the 21st that it will showcase innovative technologies and services related to artificial intelligence (AI) and the metaverse at 'World IT Show 2021 (WIS 2021)', the largest domestic ICT exhibition, held until the 23rd.

Under the theme of 'A Future Filled with Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality,' SK Telecom will exhibit 12 innovative technologies that will lead the future of Korea's ICT technology. SK Telecom will present various AI technologies applied with its self-developed AI core brain AI semiconductor 'SAPEON.' In December last year, SK Telecom developed and unveiled 'SAPEON,' the first AI semiconductor in Korea applicable to data centers.

At this WIS, visitors can closely observe the chipset form through a large structure-shaped SAPEON and verify the excellence of the self-developed AI semiconductor by comparing the graphics processing unit (GPU) and data processing speed in real time. Additionally, opportunities to experience AI-applied everyday services will be provided. Visitors can watch the AI quarantine robot 'Keemi' autonomously navigating throughout the exhibition hall implementing COVID-19 quarantine measures, and try the earset 'NUGU Buds' equipped with the AI service 'NUGU' themselves.

Future services related to the 'metaverse,' which have attracted much attention domestically and internationally, can also be experienced at the SK Telecom exhibition hall. The 'metaverse' is a compound word of 'meta,' meaning virtual, and 'universe,' meaning the real world, and is recognized as a core field of future ICT technology.

SK Telecom will showcase ▲‘5G Metaverse Cinema’ providing hyper-realistic experiences ▲‘Jump Studio’ creating metaverse spaces ▲a metaverse fashion show and Twin World (metaverse conference) applying mobile edge computing, the next-generation 5G technology ▲and the virtual reality (VR) device Oculus Quest 2, which has received explosive responses. Among these, the most eye-catching exhibit is the ‘5G Metaverse Cinema.’ Visitors can wear VR devices while seated in special equipment to experience hyper-realistic scenarios such as deep-sea exploration or future robot wars.

Considering the COVID-19 situation, SK Telecom is also thoroughly ensuring quarantine and safety. Previously, the ‘metaverse’ service could only be experienced by wearing VR devices, but now special displays (Secret Screens) have been installed throughout the exhibition hall to safely experience the service without wearing VR devices. Normally, nothing is visible on the screen, but when visitors stand in front of the screen, it provides an immersive experience equivalent to wearing an actual VR device.

Furthermore, to ensure visitor safety, disinfection is conducted thoroughly by time slots, and experience equipment or events can be reserved via mobile without queuing separately. Visitors can scan the QR code provided on-site and wait to receive notifications when the experience is available.

Song Kwanghyun, Head of Digital Communication at SK Telecom, said, “We have prepared various innovative technologies and services so that visitors can vividly experience a future world filled with AI and the metaverse,” and added, “We will continue to strive to make customers’ lives happier through leading future ICT innovative technologies.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.