[Edaily Reporter Song Jae-min] Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, and LG Group are accelerating their company-wide AI transformation (AX) by positioning artificial intelligence (AI) as a core management priority. Even companies that had been cautious about using external generative AI due to concerns over technology leaks are beginning to open up, signaling that AI is emerging as a key competitive advantage that will determine corporate survival, going beyond mere business innovation.

According to industry sources on the 12th, following Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix is also pushing to adopt external generative AI, including ChatGPT.

The most notable change is the shift in attitude within the semiconductor industry, which had previously restricted the use of external AI for security reasons. While Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix have already been operating internal services using open-source-based generative AI models, they have maintained a cautious stance toward generative AI that connects directly to external servers. In particular, it is reported that SK Hynix currently restricts access to general external AI agents.

A semiconductor industry official stated, “Given the nature of the industry, which deals with national core technologies, we cannot help but be highly sensitive to any potential transmission of information to external servers,” adding, “It appears that implementation will only proceed after thorough security verification has been completed.”

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Starting today, Samsung Electronics has officially introduced external generative AI services such as ChatGPT, Gemini Enterprise, and Claude for employees in its Consumer Electronics (DX) division. The Semiconductor (DS) division, which oversees the semiconductor business, is currently utilizing Claude and is pushing to introduce ChatGPT this month and Gemini by the end of the year.

Samsung Electronics’ shift is particularly symbolic. The company had previously imposed a blanket ban on the use of external generative AI services like ChatGPT following a 2023 incident involving the leakage of employee source code. Since then, it has developed its own generative AI model, “Samsung Gauss,” and last year established a dedicated organization for AI-driven productivity innovation. With the recent expansion to include external AI, the company appears to be fundamentally overhauling its AI strategy.

SK Hynix has also joined this trend. Kwak No-jeong, President and CEO of SK Hynix, stated at the New Icheon Forum CEO Town Hall the previous day, “We are reviewing the adoption of Microsoft 365 and Copilot, and we are also exploring the possibility of utilizing ChatGPT Enterprise.” He added, “We plan to gradually introduce external AI, starting with areas unrelated to national core technologies.”

President Kwak emphasized, “In the AI era, it is more important who can learn and adapt faster than who knows more,” adding, “We must redesign our respective work processes in collaboration with AI.”

'AI Survival Strategies' Directly Oversee by Top Executives

Analysts suggest that this shift reflects the strong determination of top executives. In his New Year’s address this year, Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong called for an AI transformation, stating, “We must completely overhaul our work methods and organizational DNA.” Samsung is pursuing a company-wide AX initiative by establishing a dedicated AI organization, providing training for presidents and executives, and even inviting Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, to give a lecture.

SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won also elevated AX to a core agenda item for the group through the New Icheon Forum. SK is pushing to build AI factories and expand its AI infrastructure business while simultaneously working to increase AI utilization across all its affiliates.

LG has also joined the race to accelerate AX. At his first executive meeting of the year, LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo emphasized the need for swift execution, stating, “AX is a task that CEOs and business leaders must lead directly.” LG Electronics is applying its proprietary AI model, EXAONE, to the factory floor to boost productivity, while LG Innotek is advancing logistics automation and unmanned quality inspections, and LG CNS is expanding its enterprise AX business.

An industry insider commented, “While in the past, the focus was on how well AI was developed, now the ability to effectively utilize AI has become a key competitive advantage,” adding, “The fact that top executives are personally overseeing AX indicates that they have begun to view AI as a matter of survival.”