Naver AI Team Integrated into Naver Cloud... Expecting B2B Business Synergy

AI In-house Independent Unit Decides Integration Instead of Spin-off
Browser, Collaboration Tools, and Translation Teams Considered for Absorption into Naver Cloud
B2B Services Consolidated and Commercialized on the Cloud

[Asia Economy Reporter Yuri Choi] Naver is integrating Clova, its in-house independent company (CIC) responsible for artificial intelligence (AI) services, into its cloud-specialized subsidiary, Naver Cloud. This strategy aims to create synergy by combining the business-to-business (B2B) business organizations centered around Naver Cloud.

According to the IT industry on the 3rd, Naver plans to hold a town hall meeting for Clova CIC employees on the same day to share this information. On the 7th, it will hold a non-face-to-face meeting for all employees called 'Companion Day' to announce the direction of the organizational restructuring and the vision for the B2B business.

Naver has settled on integrating Naver Cloud and Clova. Clova CIC, in its fifth year since establishment, has about 700 employees and develops and services AI-related technologies such as voice recognition and chatbots. It has been considered the top candidate for spin-off among Naver CICs, but considering business synergy, the decision was made to merge it with Naver Cloud.

Besides Clova, there are plans to absorb organizations such as Naver Whale (browser), Naver Works (collaboration tools), and Papago (translation) into Naver Cloud. Naver Cloud is expected to play the role of commercializing B2B services by placing them on the cloud. A Naver official said, “We are reviewing various options including organizational restructuring.”

This move is analyzed as an effort to strengthen global competitiveness. As Naver Cloud drives its overseas business, it aims to maximize synergy effects by bringing together businesses that have grown as separate organizations in one place. Naver Cloud expanded its presence in the domestic market, recording sales of 860 billion KRW last year and is on track to achieve 1 trillion KRW in sales this year.

Starting next year, to accelerate overseas expansion, Naver Cloud recently partnered with Intel and Cloud4C. The goal is to become one of the top three cloud providers in the Asia-Pacific region within three years. Leadership changes are also planned to support this. Park Won-ki, co-CEO of Naver Cloud, will take on the role of head of Asia-Pacific business development to focus on global business, while co-CEO Kim Yoo-won will be responsible for advancing the current cloud business.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.