Securing AI Talents
Naver Corp. will join hands with the Hong Kong University of Science & Technology (HKUST), one of the best universities in the world, to set up an artificial intelligence (AI) research center. After acquiring the Xerox Research Centre Europe (XRCE) in Grenoble, France, for 200 billion won (US$213.8 trillion won) in June last year, the company plans to advance its AI technology by establishing a separate AI research center in Hong Kong.
According to information and communication technology (ICT) industry sources on March 28, Naver will open “NAVER-HKUST AI Lab” at the HKUST in Hong Kong on April 12. The opening ceremony will be attended by Naver CEO Han Seong-sook, HKUST President Wei Shyy and Professor Cha Sang-kyun of Seoul National University. Naver will also hold an AI forum on the same day. At the forum, JD.com Vice President Jian Pei will talk about “How Big Data Changes Retail Market” and Alibaba Vice President Jingren Zhou will talk about “Alibaba’s Data Intelligence and Analysis” as guest speakers as well as Kang In-ho, head of search at Naver.
This year, Naver is making an effort to secure skilled workforce by offering AI training sessions in cooperation with the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). This is because AI plays a role as a core platform that connects various ICT services, such as Internet of Things and autonomous vehicle, and a company will not be able to survive five years later without AI technologies.
Considering the fact that the HKUST is an international research university that ranked in 30th place on the QS World University Ranking, outperforming Seoul National University that came in 36th, KAIST 41st and UCLA in the U.S. 33rd, Naver will be able to accelerate the advancement of its AI technologies. The HKUST owns global leading technologies in the big data and AI sectors. Naver recruited Kim Sung-hun, professor of computer science at the HKUST, to its AI research center “CLAIR” last year. Kim helped the company to set up the joint research center with the HKUST.
With the establishment of the joint research center, Naver is seeking to secure talent in the sector from China and Southeast Asia. Since Hong Kong is located near Shenzhen, which is often called China's Silicon Valley, and is not far from Vietnam and Singapore, Naver will be able to attract competent workforce from not only China but also Southeast Asia. In particular, Naver’s LINE, which has grown to be the most popular mobile messaging service in Japan and Southeast Asia, will help secure talent.
With the new research center, Naver will have four main bases for its AI research in South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong and France. Global Investment Officer (GIO) Lee Hae-jin is expected to secure talent in Europe, mainly from the XRCE in France, and CEO Han and LINE's Chief Global Officer (CGO) Shin Joong-ho will be in charge of AI business in Asia, including South Korea and Japan. In addition, Naver’s Clova AI platform is forecast to expand its ecosystem. Naver released its AI speaker “WAVE” in July last year. Since then, the company has been expanding its partnership with other companies. LG Electronics' ThinQ Hub speaker will be powered by Naver's Clova AI platform. As senior executives of Alibaba and JD.com are to attend the opening ceremony, all eyes are on whether these companies will enter into a technical partnership with Naver.