[AI Revolution](73) Hangul and Computer Leaps Forward as an AI Company

Hangul and Computer Co., Ltd. (hereinafter Hancom), familiar for document creation programs such as ‘Hangul Word Processor,’ is transforming into an artificial intelligence (AI) company. It plans to enhance product competitiveness by integrating LLMs (large language models) into existing software and to actively target overseas markets.

Hancom, a leading domestic software (SW) company, has initiated change. On the 4th, Hancom spun off its web office business division to establish a new company called ‘Thinkfree.’ The goal is to target overseas markets. It is unusual that the affiliate company’s name dropped ‘Hancom.’ This decision was made because it is considered advantageous for overseas market penetration and strengthening foreign investment attraction.

Hancom is reallocating personnel and resources, which had focused on the domestic market and on-premise products, to Thinkfree to concentrate on overseas markets and cloud-based services. Over 80% of Thinkfree’s workforce consists of web editor development experts. Additionally, by linking AI, it plans to take a bold step into the AI editor business suited for the global cloud environment, providing optimal documents through cognitive search from various data held by users. The AI editor is an extension tool that enhances the usability and productivity of office programs by utilizing AI technology.

In August, Hancom revealed its commitment to the AI business by releasing a video proposing the unique value of Hancom AI. Then, on the 23rd, it accelerated its transformation into an AI company by launching the beta version of ‘Hancom Docs AI,’ which incorporates AI technology into the subscription-based office software Hancom Docs. This software combines document-specialized AI technology and LLMs to enable anyone to easily create documents.

Hancom Docs AI features the ability to database various electronic documents regardless of formats such as HWPX, PDF, and DOCX, and generate personalized documents. It offers six popular themes such as resumes, official documents, and proposals frequently used by office workers and university students. Users input the topic and key content, select the desired format, and the software automatically creates the document according to the chosen template.

For example, when writing a self-introduction letter, content suitable for each section?such as ▲growth process ▲motivation for application ▲strengths and weaknesses of personality?is generated and applied to the document. Additionally, it includes a style change feature that automatically adjusts the writing style to suit the context, such as formal or conversational tone, along with functions like ▲sentence generation ▲draft writing ▲table of contents creation ▲image generation ▲continuation ▲translation ▲spell check ▲document summarization.

'Hancom Docs AI' Beta Version in Use. (Photo by Hancom Inc.)

Hancom is also expanding its AI-integrated SDK (software development kit) business. It focuses on technologies that improve service accuracy and productivity for public and corporate clients wishing to adopt LLMs. Hancom utilizes various LLMs including generative AI technologies such as ChatGPT, HyperCLOVA X, and DALL·E. In addition, it applies proprietary technologies like the ‘AI Hub SDK’ and ‘Chatbot SDK,’ which efficiently connect multiple LLMs and electronic documents, to develop products and modularize Hancom’s AI technology into SDKs for integration with other services, pursuing an ecosystem creation strategy.

Hancom also launched an ‘AI Development TFT’ jointly with global SaaS (Software as a Service) company Kdan Mobile to collaborate on AI business. Kdan Mobile previously released ‘Kdan Office,’ an office software jointly developed with Hancom, in Taiwan in September.

In September, Hancom attended the 20th Emergency Economic and Livelihood Meeting and Korea’s Super-large AI Leap Meeting held at the Blue House State Guest House. Kim Yeon-su, CEO of Hancom, was the only invitee at the event from the electronic document sector with products combining Hancom’s unique AI technology and super-large LLMs. Hancom is also pursuing cooperation related to electronic documents with the Digital Platform Government Committee.

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