Ahnlab to invest 100 bln won over 3 yrs for 'AI-native' transformation

SEOUL, September 16 (Yonhap) -- Ahnlab Inc., South Korea's leading cybersecurity firm, announced plans Wednesday to invest 100 billion won over the next three years in a bid to pivot its business model towards subscription-based AI-native services. The company, founded in 1995 and best known for its pioneering V3 antivirus software, aims to become an artificial intelligence native cybersecurity firm through these investments.

The funds will be primarily allocated towards constructing AI infrastructure, bolstering research and development capabilities, and attracting AI-related talent. CEO Kang Suk-kyoon outlined a growth objective for the company, projecting a tripling of sales from 300 billion won this year to 1 trillion won by 2035. To achieve this ambitious goal, the company anticipates an average annual growth rate of 15 percent, which Kang believes is attainable given the current growth trend.

In addition to domestic expansion, Ahnlab plans to increase its overseas sales to 30 percent by 2035, up from the current 10 percent. The company also intends to establish a cyber defense center in the Middle East, capitalizing on the growing demand for data and AI sovereignty in various regions.