SK Hynix, South Korea’s second-largest chipmaker, is set to invest an impressive $74.6 billion over the next three years to advance its memory chip technologies with a focus on artificial intelligence (AI). This ambitious investment is part of a larger strategy by parent company SK Group, which plans to secure an additional $57.8 billion by 2026 to further bolster its AI ventures, according to a recent Reuters report.
Despite recent financial setbacks experienced by SK Hynix and its vehicle battery subsidiary, SK Group is betting on AI to turn the tide. The combined investments could amount to nearly $133 billion, a significant figure compared to SK Hynix’s current market capitalisation of approximately $118 billion. This substantial expenditure underscores the company’s commitment to AI development as a means to recover losses and ensure future financial stability.
The focus on AI is also part of a broader effort to streamline SK Group’s operations. The conglomerate, which currently manages over 175 subsidiaries, plans to reduce this number to better align with its strategic goals and ambitions.
The AI industry is fiercely competitive, dominated by tech giants such as Google, Microsoft, and Nvidia. However, the semiconductor market, which is critical for AI, is even more contested. With technology companies rapidly entering the AI space and pushing technological boundaries, the demand for AI-capable chips has surged, resulting in a global shortage.
SK Group’s investment strategy aims to capitalise on this growing demand. The company projects that its profits could soar from $16 billion in 2024 to nearly $30 billion by the end of 2025, driven by these strategic investments in AI technologies.
