Naver, in collaboration with Aramco Digital, Forays into MENA Market with Arabic LLM

  • Naver partners with Aramco Digital to enter MENA market
  • Focus on cloud, robotics, and digital avatars for smart infrastructure
  • The agreement includes establishment of a sovereign cloud and super app
  • The initiative aims to develop AI based on the Arabic language model
  • Naver’s “sovereign AI” strategy customizes solutions for local culture
  • Joint effort to pioneer smart buildings and cities in MENA region

Main AI News:

In a strategic move to penetrate the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) market, South Korean internet giant Naver and Saudi Arabia’s digital technology powerhouse Aramco Digital have inked a landmark agreement. This partnership aims to capitalize on cloud computing, robotics, and digital avatars to catalyze the development of smart infrastructure in the region.

According to Yonhap News Agency’s coverage of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signing, Naver and Aramco Digital are poised to establish a sovereign cloud infrastructure and introduce a groundbreaking super app tailored for Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East. Central to this venture is the deployment of an AI system built on an extensive Arabic language model (LLM).

The concept of “sovereign AI,” as articulated by Naver, revolves around leveraging its proprietary LLM technology to craft AI solutions customized to the nuances of local culture and language. This approach not only lays the groundwork for a diverse array of applications but also sets Naver apart from its American and Chinese counterparts in delivering cost-effective LLM solutions.

With a strategic focus on cloud computing, robotics, and digital avatars, Naver and Aramco Digital are poised to spearhead the development of intelligent urban infrastructure across the MENA region.

Naver identifies Aramco Digital as an ideal collaborator for rolling out its advanced cloud, AI, and digital avatar technologies under the banner of TEAM NAVER in Saudi Arabia and beyond. The pioneering digital initiatives spearheaded by Aramco Digital are expected to serve as a blueprint for Naver’s technology expansion into new territories.

Conclusion:

The partnership between Naver and Aramco Digital marks a significant step in advancing smart infrastructure solutions in the MENA market. By combining Naver’s expertise in AI and Aramco Digital’s regional influence, the collaboration has the potential to drive innovation and shape the future of urban development in the Middle East and North Africa.

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