Naver has unveiled HyperClova X, a new generative artificial intelligence (AI) platform. Naver will build an AI ecosystem and establish a model for mutual growth with Korean startups through the AI platform.
At the DAN23 Conference held at the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas on Aug. 24, Choi Soo-yeon, CEO of Naver, unveiled HyperClova X, saying, “We will support our sellers, creators, and partners with powerful technologies and services to help them compete in the coming era of generative AI.”
On the day, Naver unveiled a schedule of services that incorporate generative AI, ranging from business-to-consumer (B2C) transactions to business-to-business (B2B) transactions and interactive services. Starting with HyperClova X, a technology model for all generative AI, Clova X and Clova Studio beta services were unveiled.
Next month, the Korean search giant will release the beta version of Cue:, an AI search service which will be followed by Clova for Writing, a writing tool that provides creators with a new content creation experience, Project Connect X, and Clova for AD.
Naver’s AI shopping service is expected to help users spend money in a smarter way. By entering your profile, it will suggest personalized styles and allow you to try out cosmetics you want to buy in advance by including a photo of your face.
Naver’s AI-based ad service will recommend products to users while boosting targeting effects for sellers. Its AI advertising service will focus on connecting users’ information consumption flows from discovery to browsing, purchases, and repurchases.
CLOVA for AD, which will open at the end of November, is a highly anticipated project that Naver has been preparing with Nike. When you search for Nike on Naver, an ad usually appears. But CLOVA for AD has a new button on the search screen that allows you to ask a question of the ad. When you click on the question button, the brand will respond with an answer. You may say, “Recommend me a shoe for a marathon.” It’s an extension of online in-store experiences.
In terms of ad performance management, CLOVA for AD analyzes feedback on content and suggests contextualized content modification and enhancement guides. It will even have a function to automatically modify and generate them.
HyperClova X is creating an ecosystem with Korean startups. “In terms of user experiences, the speed of Korean language generation was quite fast,” said Kim Jin-woo, CEO of Liner, an AI information exploration service. “The level of understanding of the Korean culture improved after using HyperClova X.”
Naver is also building a technology ecosystem to collaborate with companies. The idea is to develop cutting-edge technologies such as AI, cloud services, and security for them so that they can easily use them.
In particular, Naver plans to establish an AI alliance that will bring together partners from various fields to create partnership-based collaborations. “Naver CLOUD creates technology, and customers who use technology create greater value,” said Gwak Yong-jae, CTO of Naver CLOUD. “We will create an AI ecosystem that benefits both individuals and companies, and together with our members we will create greater innovation and drive growth.”
D2SF, a startup incubator created by Naver in 2015, is a clear example of Naver’s shared growth philosophy. To date, D2SF has invested in 103 companies with AI startups accounting for 33 percent of the total. D2SF’s seed investments account for 79 percent of the total. This shows how sincerely Naver is promoting cooperation with AI startups, as early-stage investments are quite risky and the investor pool is small.