Samsung SDS has unveiled a comprehensive AI transformation (AX) strategy at its REAL Summit 2026 in Seoul, emphasising a shift from mere AI adoption to delivering measurable business outcomes through its “Multi-Dimensional AI Full Stack” approach.
REAL Summit 2026: Focus on results, not just adoption
Held on September 8 at COEX in Seoul under the theme “The Future of Successful AX Innovation Completed with the Samsung SDS AI Full Stack,” the event brought together global AI leaders including OpenAI and Anthropic, alongside major Korean corporations.
Samsung SDS CEO Lee Jun-hee stressed that while AI changes how work is done, AX fundamentally transforms the business itself. He outlined that although 88% of companies have adopted AI for at least one task, only 6% report it meaningfully contributing to results—a gap Samsung SDS aims to close.
Seven pillars of successful AX
To guide enterprises, Samsung SDS identified seven critical success factors for AX:
Process Re-Design: Restructuring workflows to enable human-AI collaboration
AI-Ready Data: Organising data in formats AI can effectively use
Agent Ops: Building efficient operating frameworks for multiple AI agents
AI Governance: Establishing policies to control AI behaviour
AI Security: Ensuring robust protection against AI-specific threats
AI-Friendly Organisation: Structuring teams to support AI integration
People & Culture: Driving cultural change to embrace AI-driven transformation
Multi-Dimensional AI Full Stack strategy
Samsung SDS introduced its “Multi-Dimensional AI Full Stack” strategy, which integrates three technological layers—AI infrastructure, AI platforms, and AI solutions—with the company’s deep industry expertise in consulting, development, deployment, and operations.
This approach is designed to provide tailored AX solutions across sectors including manufacturing, finance, retail, logistics, public services, and defence. The company is also pursuing a “Client Zero” strategy, first implementing and validating AX initiatives internally before scaling them to customers.
Strategic partnerships and security initiatives
A key highlight was Samsung SDS becoming the first Korean company to join OpenAI’s “Daybreak” security alliance as a pilot partner, enabling it to offer advanced cyber defence services leveraging OpenAI’s AI models.
The company also announced a strategic cooperation agreement with Anthropic to expand its AX business and significantly grow its pool of AI engineers. Additionally, Samsung SDS plans to strengthen collaboration with other major AI firms including Google.
Entry into Robot Transformation (RX) business
In a major expansion, Samsung SDS officially declared its entry into the Robot Transformation (RX) business, extending AX from digital operations to “physical AI” in manufacturing environments.
The company has already established an RX Business Team and an RX Execution Team within its Cloud Services Business Division. It plans to form the Team REX (Robotics EXcellence) partnership to standardise robot interconnection interfaces and unify performance standards across different manufacturers.
Samsung SDS aims to launch a robot orchestration platform by 2027 that will integrate and control production facilities and robots from multiple vendors as a unified system.
Investment and growth plans
Backed by new funds from global investment firm KKR, Samsung SDS is reviewing strategic investments in AX, robotics, and logistics sectors, including potential equity stakes in projects like the Robot Foundation Model (RFM).
The company, which holds cash reserves of 6.4 trillion won, plans to use these resources to continue investing in AI infrastructure and reinforce its AX competitiveness globally.
Industry-specific implementation focus
The afternoon session of REAL Summit 2026 featured 59 sessions across 10 themes, covering AX strategy and implementation in manufacturing, retail, services, logistics, public sector, defence, and finance.
Samsung SDS said it will present industry-specific applications and execution strategies, drawing on its full-stack AI capabilities and partnerships with global frontier AI companies.
With this comprehensive strategy, Samsung SDS is positioning itself not just as an AI service provider, but as a strategic partner helping enterprises achieve tangible business transformation through AI.
