Oil Prices Slip as Iran Sanctions Relief and Hormuz Shipping Recovery Ease Supply Concerns 
Japan Signals Preference for Low Interest Rates as BOJ Policy Debate Intensifies 
Australia Jobs Growth Strengthens Rate Hike Outlook 
Asian Markets Rally as Micron and Qualcomm AI Outlook Lifts Global Tech Stocks 
Japan Manufacturing Growth Accelerates in June as Orders Surge Despite Iran War Cost Pressures 
Gold Drops Below $4,000 as Strong US Dollar and Fed Rate Hike Expectations Pressure Bullion 
Nike CFO Shake-Up Fuels Concerns Over Turnaround Strategy 
Kioxia Targets U.S. Listing as AI Chip Boom Accelerates 
Singapore Inflation Stays Muted in May as Core CPI Misses Forecasts Ahead of MAS Review 
Baseten Secures $1.5 Billion Funding at $13 Billion Valuation Amid AI Infrastructure Boom 
Heineken Names JDE Peet’s CEO Rafael Oliveira as New Chief Executive 
South Korea’s KOSPI Jumps Over 5% as Samsung, SK Hynix Rally on Micron Earnings Boost 
Bessent Says U.S. Must Strengthen Supply Chains and Economic Security 
SK Hynix Moves Closer to New York ADR Listing Amid AI Chip Boom 
DOJ Opens Investigation Into NYC Coffee Shop Over Anti-Goldman Social Media Post 
Tencent Reviews Marvelous Stake as Gaming Giant Reassesses Global Investment Strategy 
SK Telecom is investing KRW15 billion or about $11.2 million in Scatter Lab, an AI startup, as part of a strategic partnership deal. The companies will jointly create a chatbot or AI agent that will be integrated into the telecom’s AI service.
SK Telecom made an equity investment in the AI firm that is known for its Lee Lu-da chatbot service. The South Korean telecom giant confirmed the deal and its investment in Scatter Lab on Monday, April 24.
The mentioned Lee Lu-da chatbot was an instant success for Scatter Lab, but it was quickly withdrawn after getting embroiled in a scandal for data collection and offensive comments. The chatbot became a hit among young people due to its ability to converse like a real person on Facebook’s messenger app.
When it was released in December 2020, it immediately attracted 750,000 users. But just 20 days after its debut, the service was pulled out by Scatter Labs after criticisms poured in over Lee Lu-da’s discriminatory and offensive comments against disabled people and sexual minorities. It was added that some male users were able to manipulate it to engage in sexually-charged conversations as well.
In any case, as per Korea Joongang Daily, the aim of the business cooperation between SK Telecom and Scatter Lab is to develop an artificial intelligence service that can carry out empathetic conversations. It will be a conversational AI that will be a lot better than Lee Lu-da and will be added to SK Telecom’s AI service.
Currently, SKT is operating A. or A dot, an AI-powered digital secretary bot. It was launched last year, but it was not mentioned if this will be retained after the development of a new chatbot with Scatter Lab.
“We are pleased to work with Scatter Lab, which has a strong capability in AI chatbot services specializing in empathetic conversations,” SK Telecom’s A. unit’s head, Kim Yong Hoon, said in a statement. "SK Telecom will continue to contribute to fostering Korea's AI ecosystem and strengthening its global competitiveness through the K-AI Alliance."
