SK networks invests $22 mil. in US AI-based device company Humane

• Published date: 09 March 2023
• Publication title: The Korea Times

SK networks has invested $22 million in the U.S. artificial intelligence (AI) device company, Humane.

SK networks initiated both direct and indirect investments totaling $22 million in the Series C round, via Hico Capital, a U.S. investment firm, securing a 2.6 percent stake according to SK networks, Thursday.

New investors such as Microsoft, Volvo, LG Technology Ventures, and SK networks, along with existing investors such as Sam Altman, the founder of OpenAI and Tiger Global took part.

Humane is a company that develops next-generation conceptual devices after the mobile phone era using AI. Its co-founders, Imran Chaudhri and Bethany Bongiorno, are former Apple employees famous for their participation in the release of IT devices and software, such as the iPhone and iPad. Humane's strategy is to accelerate its mission to provide AI-driven next-generation personal mobile computing by creating an innovative software platform and devices based on AI.

SK networks evaluated Humane's growth potential as high and thus decided to pursue the...