Kakao Brain builds image-generating AI model

Kakao Brain, the AI tech research and development division of Kakao, has announced a new AI model that creates images on its own. The subsidiary of the Korean tech giant unveiled the project on Wednesday. It will be the second AI model which will help widen the company’s presence in the AI world.

The company officials said that the new AI model is designed to create images as commanded by the users. Meaning, the users can type requests explaining the picture and the AI model will create or present such images upon request. For example, when users request “draw a picture with the sun and garden,” it illustrates and presents it to the user. 

As opposed to a search engine that helps users find the exact matching images from the web, the AI model can create a whole new image as it reckons the basic factors in user requests. 

The company has developed the model after machine learning structures processed 14 million sets of text and image data for accuracy and efficiency. The model is now launched after undergoing the entire ML process. 

A Kakao Brain official spoke to the media about the launch of the AI model. “Since minDALL-E mimics the art styles of popular artists, rather than replicating the artwork itself, there is no problem of copyright infringement,” he quoted. 

Industry experts suggest that the AI model will be a great tool for content creators and educators in South Korea. Since MinDALL-E can help with illustrations, users can quickly generate storytelling content. Besides, it will also help create educational materials for students. 

“If we join hands with KakaoTalk, users might even be able to self-create their own emoticons,” the official further added.

Apart from MinDALL-E, Kakao Brain had also been working on its first Korean-language AI model KoGPT which was recently upgraded. 

The upgrade has made the model more accurate and enhanced, with larger data sets being processed using deep learning. 

In an interview with the media, Kim Il-du, CEO of Kakao Brain, said, “We are researching the components required for an AI to think and speak like a human being. Also, we ask ourselves how an AI that has memory and deduction skills could communicate like us.”

Kakao Brain has announced a mini-conference that will be held online. On Friday, the company officials will share insights on its two new projects KoGPT and minDALL-E.

Kim further added, “Starting with the two AI models, we plan to unveil other supergiant AI models as open source to further contribute to the development of the country’s IT industry and the next generation of deep learning.