TL;DR:
- Microsoft collaborates with Wrtn Technologies, a South Korean AI startup.
- The partnership focuses on leveraging Azure for generative AI services.
- Wrtn aims to enhance its AI tools’ performance and security using Azure.
- Microsoft commits to supporting Wrtn and the Korean AI startup ecosystem.
- Wrtn, with over one million users in seven months, secured $11.8 million in funding.
Main AI News:
In a strategic partnership, Microsoft Corp. has joined forces with South Korean AI portal startup, Wrtn Technologies Inc., to leverage the power of Azure, Microsoft’s cloud computing platform. Wrtn Technologies, known for its array of generative AI services, including AI chatbots, plugins, applications, and development tools, is set to expand its utilization of Azure OpenAI Service in this groundbreaking collaboration.
Under this agreement, Microsoft Korea and Wrtn are committed to bolstering the seamless operation of Wrtn’s AI services, all built on the Azure platform. Additionally, the two entities will collaborate on technological advancements aimed at enhancing the performance and security of Wrtn’s generative AI tools, thereby fostering a thriving local AI ecosystem.
With a vision to harness Azure technologies such as Azure Infrastructure and Azure DevOps Service to enhance its AI offerings, Wrtn Technologies is poised for transformative growth. According to Wrtn CEO Lee Seyoung, “We have experienced excellent data security and service stability of AI models such as ChatGPT and GPT-4 through Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service. Of all, GPT-4 has excellent language performance when it comes to the Korean language among various LLM models. We will strive to maximize the synergy between the two companies through the agreement.”
Microsoft’s Commitment to Empower the Korean AI Startup Scene
Microsoft Korea, in its unwavering support of Wrtn Technologies, aims to catalyze South Korea’s burgeoning AI startup industry. Willy Cho, CEO of Microsoft Korea, expressed the company’s dedication to this endeavor, stating, “Through this agreement, we are committed to providing support to Wrtn in building the infrastructure and generative AI services that nurture a vigorous AI startup ecosystem, promote ongoing innovation, and improve customer experiences.”
Wrtn Technologies, a prominent player in the country’s generative AI service landscape, has swiftly garnered more than one million users within a mere seven months since its launch in January. The startup further solidified its position with a remarkable achievement—a Series A funding round in June, securing an impressive 15 billion won ($11.8 million) in investment. Notable participants in the funding round included venture capitalists Capstone Partners Inc. in South Korea and Z Venture Capital in Japan, along with other esteemed investors.
Conclusion:
Microsoft’s strategic partnership with Wrtn Technologies to enhance AI services on the Azure platform is a significant development for the Korean AI market. This collaboration is poised to bolster the local AI ecosystem, drive innovation, and elevate customer experiences, ultimately solidifying South Korea’s position as a key player in the global AI landscape.
