S. Korean tech firms Naver, KT, Samsung rush for tie-ups to compete with ChatGPT

South Korean tech companies Naver Corp. and KT Corp. are rushing to form partnerships in different sectors to develop superior AI services to compete with Microsoft Corp.-backed OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

Naver Corp., Korea’s top online portal, tied up with Samsung Electronics Co., while KT Corp., the country’s leading telecom carrier, teamed up with fabless startup Rebellions Inc.

Since late last year, Naver has been working with Samsung on developing a next-generation AI chip solution optimized for its hyper-scale AI platform, Hyperclova, which is based on the Korean language. The solution is in the final stage of development.

While working with Samsung Electronics Co. to create semiconductors to address the bottlenecks in the current computer system, Naver is concentrating on improving Hyperclova's features.

In the first half, Naver plans to unveil Search GPT, an AI-powered search service powered by high-quality search data and Hyperclova technology, with 204 billion learning parameters.

Both companies are also known to be jointly seeking ways to apply AI technologies optimized for AI semiconductors.

Meanwhile, KT plans to work with Rebellions to market MI:DEUM, its super multi-layer AI tool suited for Korea, in the first half of this year.

The goal is to create an AI that can readily learn different application cases, understand emotions, and have empathy.

A lightweight version of the MI:DEUM will have the newest Atom system-on-chip from Rebellions.