SK Telecom to Launch AI Agent Service in the US

During the CES 2025 tech fair in Las Vegas, SK Telecom (SKT) unveiled its personal artificial intelligence (AI) agent named Aster. This launch marks the first appearance of Aster in the United States, igniting interest among tech enthusiasts and users alike.

Details of Aster's Launch

Chung Suk-geun, who is the head of SK Telecom's global personal AI agent business, introduced Aster during a press conference at the event. SKT has plans to beta launch the service for North American consumers in March, and they have started recruiting users for the beta version through their exhibition booth and the Aster official website.

Features and Functionality

Aster is designed to help users manage their daily lives more effectively. According to SKT, the AI agent offers four main functions: planning, execution, reminders, and advice. It enhances user interaction by facilitating smooth conversations, even when requests are vague or complex. For example, if a business traveler in Las Vegas is unsure about how to spend their last day, Aster can recommend shopping spots, restaurants, and theaters, creating a manageable schedule for their activities.

Aster aims to assist with various tasks, including making reservations and processing payments. To expand its capabilities, SKT is exploring partnerships with technology companies such as Perplexity, known for its generative AI-powered answer engine.

Proactive Assistance

What sets Aster apart from other AI services is its proactive nature. Instead of simply responding to user queries, Aster actively proposes solutions. For instance, if it identifies that a user’s daughter has a birthday coming up, it might suggest purchasing a souvenir as a gift. This level of interaction emphasizes the relationship between Aster and its user.

With plans to expand Aster's reach to more regions in the future, SKT's innovative approach in the AI landscape is set to transform how users manage their daily activities with intelligent assistance.

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