Korean Tech Giants Naver and Samsung Expanding Global AI Reach

TL;DR:

  • South Korean companies Naver and Samsung are gearing up to compete in the global AI landscape.
  • Naver aims to collaborate with Saudi Arabian firms in the digital sector, focusing on AI development and local data utilization.
  • Naver plans to export its AI services to Japan and Southeast Asia, leveraging the market presence of its affiliate LINE.
  • Samsung Electronics introduces its self-developed generative AI model, Samsung Gauss, for integration into various products.
  • Korea’s major mobile carriers, SK Telecom Co., KT Corp., and LG Uplus Corp., are actively involved in customized AI service development.

Main AI News:

South Korea’s tech leaders, Naver Corp. and Samsung Electronics Co., are positioning themselves for global dominance in the burgeoning field of artificial intelligence (AI), a race currently dominated by tech titans like Google LLC and OpenAI.

Sources within the information technology (IT) industry have revealed that Naver, which introduced its own cutting-edge large language model (LLM) called HyperCLOVA X in August, is actively pursuing a comprehensive memorandum of understanding with Saudi Arabian companies operating in the digital sector, with a strong focus on AI.

Saudi Arabia has shown keen interest in nurturing its own LLM capabilities and exploring AI collaborative ventures with nations outside the United States and China. Naver aims to leverage its expertise in creating AI models tailored to local data, similar to the technology behind HyperCLOVA X, ensuring compliance with local laws and regulations and eliminating data leak concerns.

Expanding its global footprint, Naver has strategic plans to offer its services in Japan and Southeast Asia, harnessing the significant market presence of its affiliate, LINE. Domestically, Naver has been concentrating on the business-to-business (B2B) sector, garnering adoption of its LLM model by over 1,300 startups, research institutions, and enterprises across the nation. Their latest offering, Neurocloud for HyperCLOVA X, has received positive acclaim, particularly from companies with heightened data security sensitivity.

In tandem with Naver’s ambitions, Samsung Electronics recently unveiled its in-house developed generative AI model, Samsung Gauss, signaling its intent to integrate Gauss’s on-device AI technology into a range of products.

Furthermore, Korea’s major mobile carriers, SK Telecom Co., KT Corp., and LG Uplus Corp., are actively involved in the development of bespoke AI services, collectively contributing to South Korea’s ascent in the global AI arena.

Conclusion:

The expansion of South Korean tech giants Naver and Samsung into the global AI arena signifies a growing competitiveness in the market. Their strategic partnerships, focus on local data utilization, and product integration initiatives demonstrate their commitment to capturing a significant share of the evolving AI market, positioning South Korea as a formidable player in the industry.

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