The Most Korean AI of Naver... "Won't Be Outdone by ChatGPT"

'HyperCLOVA X' Based Service Launch
CEO Choi Soo-yeon "Monetization Starting from B2B"
Enhancing Search Market Share and Competitiveness, Emphasizing Collaboration

Naver has announced the launch of a Korean version of generative AI services. Naver's generative AI, 'HyperCLOVA X,' is specialized in domestic information and Korean language capabilities. The strategy is to increase satisfaction by providing services optimized for domestic partners and then target the global market.

Naver CEO Choi Soo-yeon is unveiling the generative artificial intelligence (AI) service 'Hyper ClovaX' at the conference 'Dan23' held on the 24th at the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

On the 24th, Choi Soo-yeon, CEO of Naver, introduced the business strategy centered on 'HyperCLOVA X' at the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas in Samseong-dong, Seoul. Services such as 'CLOVA X,' which will offer functions similar to OpenAI's ChatGPT, 'CUE:' to enhance search satisfaction, 'Project Connect X,' a tool to boost corporate productivity, and 'NeuroCloud,' which improves security features, are scheduled to be released sequentially.

The Most Korean Generative AI

Naver expressed confidence that services based on HyperCLOVA X will not fall behind OpenAI. CEO Choi explained during a Q&A session with the press, "It is differentiated as a generative AI that understands natural Korean language as well as Korea's social context, laws, and systems."

Naver is a comprehensive platform offering various services such as search, commerce, reservations, and entertainment. In other words, it is a space where almost all activities performed by Koreans on the internet take place. Given the vast amount of data accumulated daily in Korea, Naver's AI is expected to provide services optimized for the Korean market and domestic partners. CEO Choi stated, "We will start monetizing with a business-to-business (B2B) model and verify it through beta tests of 'CLOVA X' targeting a limited number of users."

Naver's CLOVA X beta service will be available to the general public from 4 p.m. today. The plan is to verify performance domestically first and then challenge the global stage. Sung Nak-ho, head of Naver Cloud's Hyperscale AI division, said, "From today, we can verify that we are not behind OpenAI," adding, "We will create specialized models and implement localization strategies with a commitment to betting on Korea." Regarding overseas export plans, CEO Choi said, "We will make efforts to respond to global needs," but refrained from revealing details, stating, "We have global partners with whom we are discussing close cooperation, but it is not yet possible to disclose."

Choi Soo-yeon, CEO of Naver. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

He also emphasized that domestic startups are already achieving good results by partnering with Naver. Sung said, "Recently, there have been cases of winning awards at CES using Naver's generative AI," adding, "Companies targeting the Korean market will have no choice but to choose us." He further noted, "If dependent on foreign platforms like OpenAI or Google, they will have to pay high costs and use lower performance."

"Strengthening Search Market Share... Need for 'Self-Regulation'"

CEO Choi predicted that the launch of this generative AI will serve as a turning point to strengthen search market share. She acknowledged concerns about the weakening of Naver's search market share and competitiveness but said, "After analyzing various internal indicators, search-related metrics are relatively stable." She emphasized, "We can strengthen market share and competitiveness through generative AI."

Competition with global companies is inevitable. In this regard, CEO Choi expressed a hope to the government to adopt 'self-regulation' rather than 'pre-regulation' for online platforms. She said, "Generative AI is a battle that transcends borders, and sanctions against global player monopolies are also underway," requesting, "Please set self-regulation as the strategic framework rather than pre-regulation." She added, "It is desirable to encourage innovation and emphasize creativity."

Regarding Naver's social responsibility, she stated, "We will maintain a stance of providing only fair services with the strictest attitude against concerns about preferential treatment and tying sales."

Going forward, the focus will be on strengthening cooperation with other companies centered on generative AI and utilizing it in various businesses to enhance partner productivity. CEO Choi said, "I hope the system will be established in a way that content companies and technology companies can win-win during AI data learning," and added, "We will work with partners such as Samsung Electronics to find optimized models, including AI semiconductor chips."

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