[Edaily Reporter Yun Junghoon ]SKTelecom(017670)is teaming up with Japan’s SoftBank and the Center for Social Value Studies (CSES) to establish measurement standards for social value (SV) appropriate for the AI era. Amid the rapid spread of AI technology, the initiative aims to objectively quantify the social benefits brought about by the technology and establish these as global standards.

SKT announced on the 9th that it had signed a “Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Social Value Measurement and Strengthening Mutual Cooperation” with SoftBank and the Center for Social Value Studies (CSES) at the SKT Tower in Euljiro, Seoul. The signing ceremony was attended by Eom Jong-hwan, Head of SKT’s Sustainable Management Division; Yasuyuki Kenda, Corporate Officer at SoftBank; and Na Seok-kwon, CEO of the Center for Social Value Studies.

The core objective of this agreement is to develop a joint methodology for objectively measuring the social value generated by AI and ICT products and services. The three companies plan to refine measurement indicators based on their respective business experiences and data, and to establish a standardized measurement system applicable not only in Korea and Japan but also in global markets. Additionally, they will collaborate on case studies, the publication of joint reports, and the hosting of related forums.

Previously, the three companies had been collaborating through initiatives such as social value measurement workshops since signing their first MOU in April 2024. In particular, last year they successfully measured and disclosed the social value created by SoftBank in detail, and compared and analyzed it against SKT’s metrics. This additional MOU is a step toward further refining the measurement model based on the achievements of the past two years of collaboration.

SKT has been measuring the social value of its overall business activities since 2018 and has been transparently disclosing even the calculation formulas for detailed indicators since 2021. Through this alliance with the Social Value Research Institute—which has established a unique DBL (Double Bottom Line) measurement system—and SoftBank, a leading Japanese big tech company, SKT aims to secure global leadership in the field of AI social value measurement.

Eom Jong-hwan, Head of SKT’s Sustainable Management Division, stated, “We have reached a point where a system is needed to objectively measure and explain the social benefits and challenges created by AI,” adding, “Through this agreement, we will push forward with the development of a standard methodology for measuring social value that is appropriate for the AI era.”