Naver Corp unveils South Korea’s answer to ChatGPT and generative AI

South Korean tech company Naver Corp has unveiled its answer to OpenAI’s ChatGPT — named CLOVA X — its newest generative AI chatbot which is aimed at Korean-language users. 

On Aug. 24, South Korean news outlet Yonhap reported that Naver released its upgraded hyperscale artificial intelligence model HyperCLOVA X.

HyperCLOVA X is the firm’s flagship AI model built using supercomputing and data analysis capabilities and powers Naver’s various AI services including the new CLOVA X chatbot.

The new Korean language chatbot is similar to ChatGPT but leverages Naver’s expertise in Korean language and culture. Just like its English-language counterparts from Google, OpenAI, Microsoft and Anthropic, it can have conversations, summarize text, and generate stories.

In addition to the Korean chatbot, Naver also announced CUE, a generative AI search service that is also powered by HyperCLOVA X.

In a Seoul press conference on Aug. 24, Naver CEO Choi Soo-yeon said the firm has applied its technologies and experiences from various sectors including web search and online shopping to support the technological competitiveness of our generative AI model HyperCLOVA X.

“Naver is ready to face the new change opened by generative AI,” added Choi.

The firm stated that CLOVA X beta testing will begin on Aug. 24 and the CUE: search tool will be launched in September.

Moreover, Naver has invested heavily in AI, spending $754 million over five years, and is opening a large new data center with 600,000 servers to hyperscale its AI efforts.

According to Choi, the firm is looking to develop localized AI applications for countries with political sensitivities in the Middle East. It also plans to target non-English speaking countries and regions such as Japan and Southeast Asia.

Related: 7 game-changing uses of ChatGPT

The AI hype train is gathering momentum and companies such as Naver and Nvidia are cashing in. On Aug. 24, Cointelegraph reported that Nvidia smashed Q2 revenue expectations with a whopping $13.5 billion in revenue for the period.

“Companies worldwide are transitioning from general-purpose to accelerated computing and generative AI,” said Nvidia founder and CEO Jensen Huang.

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