SK hynix plans to defend its leadership in AI memory through next-generation technologies, expanded production facilities and a global research network. Chief Executive Kwak Noh-jung said at the 2026 Global Tech Forum in Santa Clara that the AI industry cannot exist without memory and that demand for AI memory will remain high. The company is pursuing the 600 trillion won ($433.9 billion) Yongin Semiconductor Cluster, a 400 trillion won ($289.3 billion) Honam cluster, a 100 trillion won ($72.3 billion) Cheongju fab and an approximately 5.4 trillion won ($3.9 billion) Indiana fab. Yongin is scheduled to begin operations in February next year. SK hynix is also establishing a global AI research and development center in the United States, while additional fabs in the United States and Japan are under discussion. Building on its high-bandwidth memory, or HBM, business, the company is developing high-bandwidth flash, or HBF. Executives and researchers at the forum said future competition will require system-level solutions that integrate design, process and devices, advanced packaging and AI systems.