SK Group, a leading South Korean conglomerate, has unveiled an innovative five-minute video utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to recreate the voices and likenesses of its revered founding leaders. This unique tribute, shared with employees, marks the conglomerate’s 73rd anniversary and showcases a pioneering use of AI in corporate history.
The commemorative video, which commenced screenings on Monday across the group’s internal channels and a prominent media wall at its Seoul headquarters, meticulously weaves together profound quotes and pivotal business anecdotes. These narratives are drawn from extensive archival materials pertaining to the late founder Chey Jong-gun and his successor, Chey Jong-hyon. The compelling story traces SK Group’s remarkable evolution, from the post-Korean War reconstruction of Sunkyong Textile in 1953 to its current stature as the nation’s second-largest diversified conglomerate.
In a poignant moment, the AI-generated voice of the late founder Chey Jong-gun recounts, “People said it was over when all that remained was rubble. There’s nothing easy in life, and business is no different. But I never hesitated when opportunity arose.” This powerful message underscores the group’s foundational spirit of resilience.
The video further highlights crucial early decisions that indelibly shaped SK’s trajectory, including its strategic entry into nylon production in 1958 and the acquisition of the iconic Walkerhill Hotel, signifying early diversification.
The AI recreation of Chey Jong-gun continues, sharing timeless wisdom: “Straighten what is bent, reconnect what is broken and rebuild what has collapsed. … If it can be done, it must be done — and it will be done.” This ethos exemplifies the group’s enduring commitment to overcoming adversity.
Emphasizing a forward-looking perspective, the AI rendition of younger brother and successor Chey Jong-hyon imparts a vital lesson on long-term strategic thinking: “Do not fear crisis. An entrepreneur must always look 10 years ahead, upholding principles while continually rewriting the future.”
The narrative progresses to detail SK Group’s ambitious push for vertical integration, spanning from oil to textiles. It also recounts the visionary decision to venture into the nascent telecommunications sector – a move initially met with skepticism but one that ultimately cemented SK’s formidable ICT business. This pivotal step led to SK’s acquisition of Korea Mobile Telecommunications in 1994, laying the groundwork for what are now industry giants SK Telecom and SK hynix, a global leader in semiconductors.
Concluding the historical journey, the video features remarks from the current chairman, Chey Tae-won, drawn from his 2022 anniversary address. He encourages, “Let us write a new chapter of growth, built on grit, noble spirit and resilience we inherited.”
According to SK Group officials, this groundbreaking project was initiated by the third-generation leader, who championed the use of AI to effectively “share the founding leaders’ DNA of grit and intellect with employees,” fostering a deeper connection to the company’s heritage.
The cutting-edge AI video was meticulously generated using an extensive archive of historical materials. This included SK’s published company histories, influential books by its former chairmen, and over 3,000 restored voice recordings carefully compiled within the “Sunkyong Chronicles.” The advanced AI system independently synthesized these diverse materials, structured the intricate narrative, and autonomously produced the compelling final video, demonstrating a significant leap in corporate communication.
An SK official highlighted the broader significance of this initiative: “SK’s remarkable growth story, from its humble founding to its strategic expansion into telecommunications and semiconductors, is now seamlessly extending into the realm of AI. The invaluable legacy of grit and intellect inherited from our founding generation will serve as both a compass and a rich source of insight in today’s rapidly evolving business environment.”
