SK Telecom is developing an AI assistant named Aster, which will likely integrate with popular applications like Google Calendar for global users. Expected to enhance user productivity, Aster will help manage tasks such as creating to-do lists and making reservations for transportation and accommodations, all based on the user’s calendar schedules.
The service is designed to function as an “agentic AI,” meaning it will perform tasks and make decisions independently. Aster is currently scheduled for beta testing in North America starting in March, and it is being developed to connect with popular U.S. reservation platforms, further extending its usefulness for users.
Aster is designed to simplify users’ daily routines by offering a range of functions, including planning, reminders, and advice. It will be available for beta testing in March, with the full service scheduled for launch in North America in the second half of the year. As an “agentic AI,” Aster can independently make decisions and take actions based on user input, making it an intuitive and efficient assistant.
The AI assistant will be integrated with Google Calendar to help users manage their schedules. For example, Aster will automatically suggest transportation and accommodation options if a user inputs a business trip to Las Vegas into the calendar. It can even make reservations based on user preferences, allowing for seamless planning and execution.
In addition to Google Calendar, SK Telecom is considering expanding Aster’s capabilities by connecting it with other popular services. This includes Yelp for making restaurant, salon, or medical facility reservations and transportation apps like Uber and Lyft. These integrations will enhance Aster’s ability to manage various user needs, from dining choices to travel arrangements.
Aster will also be linked with Perplexity, an AI-powered search engine, further expanding its functionality. SK Telecom is evaluating which application programming interfaces (APIs) to use for these integrations, with final decisions based on feedback from beta testers. This approach allows the company to refine the assistant’s features before its official rollout.
Earlier this month, SK Telecom confirmed that it will launch a beta service for its AI assistant, Aster, focusing on North American users in March. This initial rollout will serve as a test to refine the service for the global market. Unlike traditional AI agents that merely provide answers, Aster is designed to take proactive actions based on users’ requests and plans, making it a more interactive and functional tool.
In addition to its core features, SK Telecom is exploring a partnership to integrate Perplexity, a generative AI-powered conversational search service, into Aster. The company intends to gather feedback from the beta phase to determine the best application programming interfaces (APIs) for the final version, with the official launch of Aster scheduled for the second half of the year in North America.
