Naver unveils new AI-driven technologies at conference

(Naver)

South Korean platform giant Naver Corp. announced on Monday that it will apply its artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, including its in-house HyperCLOVA X, to its core B2C services such as search, maps, and shopping, in a move aimed at transforming users’ lives.

The company also unveiled a plan to invest 1 trillion won ($713.8 million) to foster a domestic AI ecosystem.

“Naver will focus on revolutionizing daily life both online and offline, maximizing business performance, and providing ultra-personalized user experiences with an all-service AI approach,” Naver Chief Executive Officer Choi Soo-yeon said during her keynote speech during the DAN24 conference held at COEX in Samseong-dong, southern Seoul.

With HyperCLOVA X-powered search, Naver’s capabilities are expected to become smarter.

The AI Briefing service, set to launch next year, will summarize search results and include references. For example, if a user asks, “Is Model A from Company H suitable as a family car?” the AI will analyze reactions from automotive communities, presenting not only Model A’s details but also a comparative summary with similar models in a neatly organized table.

Naver will also integrate search results with other services such as grocery shopping, allowing users to check search results, purchase items, and make reservations seamlessly.

Naver will launch a separate mobile app, Naver Plus Store, in the first half of 2025 to provide a hyper-personalized AI shopping experience. Naver Plus Membership will also expand its range of user benefits with its delivery options, including Immediate Delivery, Dawn Delivery, Same-day Delivery, Next-day Delivery, and Preferred Date Delivery, catering to various user needs.

Immediate Delivery, which pledges delivery within an hour, could become a strong competitor to Coupang’s Rocket Delivery.

A new 3D Street View developed by Naver Labs, featuring spatial intelligence technology, will provide an enhanced navigation experience by presenting offline information in 3D, enabling vivid, optimized space details. The service will also offer AR navigation, indoor maps, and VR indoor tours, allowing online users to explore offline spaces in immersive ways.

To foster the growth of the AI ecosystem in Korea, Naver plans to establish an Impact Committee, and a 1 trillion won Impact Fund over the next six years. Naver’s non-profit educational foundation, Naver Connect Foundation, will also invest 60 billion won over the next five years to expand AI education curricula and cultivate the talent that is crucial for the AI ecosystem.