The dominance of English language and Western perspectives in popular chatbots like ChatGPT has raised alarms about the inclusivity of AI. However, in South Korea, a technological powerhouse, companies are actively leveraging AI technology to address local needs and diversify its application.
Unlike the centralized approach observed in some American AI companies, South Korean firms, such as Naver and LG, are tailoring their AI models to specific industries, cultures, or languages. The goal is to create AI systems that resonate with local audiences, moving away from a one-size-fits-all global market strategy.
Byong-Tak Zhang, a computer science professor at Seoul National University, emphasizes the importance of competition in enhancing the robustness, social acceptability, safety, and ethics of AI systems. The competitive landscape in South Korea's AI industry is considered one of the most diverse and competitive globally, with companies actively pursuing customization for specific countries and industries.
South Korea's unique position in AI development is attributed to its well-connected population, generating substantial data to train AI systems. The government's support through funding and data for training large language models further contributes to the country's progress in AI.
While South Korea acknowledges that it is still behind the United States in the AI race, companies like Naver and LG remain confident in their ability to compete. Instead of aiming for global dominance, these companies focus on specialized strategies, targeting specific areas, industries, or languages.
Nako Sung, an executive at Naver, explains the shift in approach after the release of ChatGPT, stating, "Then we realized that the timeline had been accelerated a lot. We decided we had to move immediately." Naver's AI model, Clova X, is built specifically for Korean language speakers, integrating local idioms and slang that may pose challenges to American-made chatbots.
LG, another major player, has developed its generative AI model, Exaone, catering to businesses and researchers. The company collaborates with various sectors, including research centers, pharmaceutical firms, and medical companies, tailoring its AI system to their specific data sets.
South Korea's commitment to diversity in AI is evident in the endeavors of major companies like Samsung, KT, and Kakao, each developing their large language models. Samsung's Gauss, a generative AI model, is being utilized internally for composing emails and translating text. KT is working with a Thai counterpart, Jasmine Group, to develop a large language model specialized in the Thai language.
Despite the strides made by South Korean companies, the United States still holds a dominant position in the AI landscape. The future of global AI development remains uncertain, described by experts as a "Wild West" scenario where various countries vie for prominence in this rapidly evolving field.
