KT, Viettel to make $95 mn AI transformation push in SE Asia

(KT)

KT Corporation signed a strategic partnership with Viettel Group, Vietnam’s largest telecom provider, to jointly pursue a 130 billion won ($94.9 million) artificial intelligence transformation (AX) project aimed at expanding AI-driven services across Southeast Asia.

The agreement was formalized on Monday at Viettel’s headquarters in Hanoi, with KT CEO Kim Young-shub and Viettel Chairman and CEO Tao Duc Thang in attendance, KT announced on Tuesday.

The two companies committed to collaborating on six core areas: AX consulting, AI business development, consumer and SME-focused solutions, AI data center and cloud infrastructure, AX capability building including a Global Development Center (GDC), and joint entry into regional markets.

Ahead of the signing ceremony, Kim also met with Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung and Vice Minister of Science and Technology Bui The Duy to discuss ways to enhance the country’s national competitiveness by adopting AI.

Viettel, a state-run technology and telecom conglomerate, operates across 11 countries - including in Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America - serving 138 million users globally. Its flagship subsidiary, Viettel Telecom, is the largest telecom operator in Vietnam.

KT aims to leverage its expertise in artificial intelligence and information and communication technologies (AICT) to support Viettel’s AI infrastructure initiatives and scale joint AX offerings across Southeast Asia. “KT will lead AX business growth in our domestic as well as global markets as a trusted AI innovation partner,” Kim said.