South Korea’s leading internet search engine, Naver, is gearing up to provide customized versions of its latest artificial intelligence model to foreign governments. This AI model shares similarities with ChatGPT, a widely-used language processing technology.
Naver’s approach focuses on tailoring and localizing AI solutions to empower governments in the Arab world and non-English speaking countries. This enables them to harness the potential of AI while considering their unique political and cultural contexts.
According to the Financial Times report, Naver is responding to the strong interest expressed by governments in these countries to have AI systems specifically tailored to their distinctive political and cultural landscapes.
Unlike other tech giants, which prioritize universal AI models, Naver recognizes the importance of developing localized AI applications that address specific regional sensitivities and language requirements.
Sung Nako, a Naver executive responsible for large-scale AI development, emphasized the growing demand for sovereign AI technology as governments prioritize data protection.
During an interview with the FT, Nako compared exporting Naver’s AI models to constructing atomic power plants in foreign countries. He highlighted Naver’s competitive advantage in offering AI solutions at more affordable prices compared to Western counterparts like Amazon.
Nako further discussed Naver’s advancements in AI, acknowledging that they are approximately eight months behind OpenAI’s ChatGPT in terms of technology but highlighting their superior performance in delivering Korean services.Â
The company’s current focus is primarily on Korea and Japan, with plans to expand into other overseas markets. It recognizes that localizing the AI solutions will be crucial in the competitive landscape of the AI race.
Sung highlighted concerns regarding data security and access to information stored in American cloud systems, which have contributed to an atmosphere akin to a new cold war. Due to these security apprehensions, many countries have expressed reservations about relying on US cloud and AI systems.
Naver has played a pivotal role in South Korea’s efforts to establish an artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem. Since last year, the company has integrated its advanced HyperClova AI model, developed in 2021, into its range of services.
While Naver’s AI capabilities are impressive, achieving global success will require overcoming various cultural, linguistic, and market-specific challenges that have hindered previous endeavors.
Recognizing the significance of technology as a key driver of future growth, the Korean government is actively promoting its advancement. With a strong foundation in semiconductors and a well-established IT infrastructure, Korea is well-positioned to leverage these strengths and emerge as a global leader in the AI field.
Naver’s collaborations with industry giant Samsung Electronics to develop AI-optimized chips demonstrate the concerted efforts being made to enhance AI capabilities and solidify the country’s position in the competitive AI market.
As the government promotes AI as the nation’s next growth engine, Naver’s contributions in this space are poised to play a vital role in realizing the potential of AI and driving Korea’s digital transformation forward.
