April 20, 2024

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[THE INVESTOR] Internet giant Naver said on Jan. 26 that it would release an artificial intelligence-powered speaker, compatible with the LINE mobile messenger, this year.

“The Project J, led together by Naver and mobile operator LINE Corp., is aimed at developing technology that can offer information for users at any time,” said a Naver executive in a conference call held on the day.

“The mobile messenger, LINE, which closely interacts with users on a daily basis, will be the starting point and an important tool for Naver’s AI assistance tech.”


Related: [NAVER EARNINGS] Naver’s profit tops W1tr for first time

The comments signaled that Naver and the Tokyo-based mobile messenger firm will first deploy the AI assistance services in the mobile messenger and then utilize the futuristic services in Naver’s other businesses, including its web portal.

Along with the AI tech, the internet firm reaffirmed that it would invest 500 billion won (US$431.61 million) in emerging technologies, including automated driving systems.

Han Seong-sook, the newly appointed CEO of Naver, pledged last year that the company would create the investment fund to develop cutting-edge technologies over the next five years.

In a regulatory filing released on the same day, Naver said its operating profit stood at 1.1 trillion won with its revenue coming in at 4.02 trillion won last year.

Of the entire revenue, its global revenue increased 35 percent from a year earlier, according to the firm.

By Kim Young-won (wone0102@heraldcorp.com)