SK Chairman Chey Tae-won Vows to Boost Memory Chip Supply Amid AI Boom

As the chairman of SK Group and the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chey Tae-won's remarks on the global semiconductor landscape, particularly concerning the burgeoning AI sector, carry significant weight. His assertion that the current memory chip shortage, while profitable for some, cannot be sustained indefinitely, reflects a forward-thinking approach essential for long-term industry health. The concern that exorbitant prices could drive users to find alternatives, as seen with Google's efforts to reduce memory usage in AI models, underscores the delicate balance between supply, demand, and innovation.

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The memory supply shortage cannot last forever... We are also trying our best to increase the memory supply.

Chey's identification of memory chips, NVIDIA's GPUs, energy, and capital as critical bottlenecks for AI expansion provides a comprehensive view of the challenges ahead. His proposed solutions, including the adoption of silicon photonics and memory pooling technologies, signal a proactive stance in seeking technological advancements to overcome these limitations. The potential for these technologies to emerge within years, rather than decades, offers a hopeful outlook for the rapid development of AI infrastructure.

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If memory becomes too expensive, people will research ways not to use memory, creating a situation where they use less memory.

Furthermore, Chey's vision for South Korea's AI strategy, emphasizing investment in large-scale data centers and the creation of AI services for export, positions the nation as a potential leader in the global AI race. This strategic focus, coupled with his advocacy for a 'New Capitalism' that incentivizes social value creation, demonstrates a commitment to not only technological progress but also to mitigating the societal impacts of AI, such as job displacement.

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We need to supply as much as is needed.

From a South Korean perspective, these initiatives are crucial for maintaining technological competitiveness and economic growth. The emphasis on developing unique AI services and models for export aligns with the nation's broader economic goals. Moreover, Chey's call for economic integration with Japan to bolster South Korea's standing against global powers like China highlights a pragmatic approach to geopolitical and economic challenges. The potential formation of an 'Asian Union' further underscores a regional vision aimed at collective strength and influence on the world stage.

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While the adoption of new computers suitable for AI may take a long time, photonic and memory pooling technologies seem likely to emerge within a few years.