- Humane, the AI startup, announces its first international market venture with SK Telecom in South Korea.
- The company delays the release of its Ai Pin device in the U.S. from March to mid-April.
- Founded by former Apple executives, Humane has secured over $200 million in funding from notable backers.
- Humane introduces the Ai Pin, a wearable device featuring sensors, AI capabilities, and a mini projector.
- Priced at $699 with a $24 monthly subscription, the Ai Pin offers users a phone number and unlimited data.
- Despite delays and layoffs, the partnership with SK Telecom signals growth opportunities for Humane.
- SK Telecom will license Humane’s AI-driven operating system, CosmOS, for potential collaboration in new subscription offerings.
- SK Telecom’s initiatives in AI, including launching A.Dot and partnering with Perplexity, align with its goal of becoming a global AI company.
Main AI News:
Humane, the AI startup generating buzz, has disclosed its inaugural foray into the international market through a collaboration with South Korea’s leading carrier, SK Telecom.
This milestone follows closely on the heels of the San Francisco-headquartered company’s decision to postpone the release of its highly anticipated Ai Pin device from March to mid-April within the U.S. market.
Established in 2017 by former Apple executives Bethany Bongiorno and Imran Chaudhri, Humane had amassed over $200 million in funding from notable backers such as Microsoft, Qualcomm Ventures, and OpenAI’s Sam Altman, all before unveiling its core venture to the public last June. Since then, the company has been gradually teasing out further details regarding its innovative device.
In essence, Humane introduces the “Ai Pin,” a wearable gadget sporting an entirely novel form factor, complete with an array of sensors, advanced AI capabilities, and a miniature projector capable of displaying information on any surface.
Priced at $699 upfront, with an additional $24 monthly subscription fee granting users a dedicated phone number and unlimited data for leveraging AI-powered functionalities, Humane positions itself as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), with T-Mobile acting as its initial launch partner within the U.S.
Despite the glimpses offered by Humane into the Ai Pin’s capabilities, no units have yet made their way to the consumer market. Coupled with the announcement of layoffs in January and the departure of long-serving CTO Patrick Gates, doubts may arise regarding the company’s trajectory.
However, the revelation of a partnership with South Korea’s premier mobile provider signals a positive turn for Humane as it gears up for increased production in the forthcoming months. More than just an MVNO agreement, Humane characterizes the collaboration as a “strategic investment opportunity,” with SK Telecom set to license Humane’s proprietary AI-driven operating system, CosmOS, which powers the Ai Pin.
Indeed, SK Telecom has been fortifying its AI portfolio, introducing a ChatGPT rival named A.Dot in 2022 and expressing ambitions to emerge as a “global AI company” through strategic partnerships worldwide. Recently, the telecom giant announced a collaboration with AI search engine Perplexity to offer its premium “Pro” plan to SK Telecom’s 32 million subscribers.
While the extent of SK Telecom’s reliance on CosmOS remains unclear, the joint announcement highlights plans for both entities to “co-develop new subscription offerings and explore fresh revenue streams within an application-free OS and ecosystem” tailored to the Korean market.
Although the timeline for the Ai Pin’s launch in South Korea remains uncertain, given the current delays in its U.S. release, expectations for an imminent arrival may need to be tempered.
Conclusion:
Humane’s strategic partnership with SK Telecom to introduce the Ai Pin to the South Korean market signifies a significant expansion of its global footprint. Despite internal challenges, this collaboration presents growth opportunities for both companies, with SK Telecom leveraging Humane’s technology to bolster its AI offerings and Humane tapping into SK Telecom’s extensive subscriber base. This alliance underscores the increasing importance of AI-driven technologies in shaping the telecommunications landscape, positioning both Humane and SK Telecom for enhanced competitiveness and innovation in the market.
