SK Telecom Launches Virtual Company for AI Service, Hires Hacker Genius as CEO | Be Korea-savvy

SK Telecom Launches Virtual Company for AI Service, Hires Hacker Genius as CEO


NUGU was launched on September 1 as the first virtual home assistant AI service that understands and processes the Korean language. (image: SK Telecom)

NUGU was launched on September 1 as the first virtual home assistant AI service that understands and processes the Korean language. (image: SK Telecom)

SEOUL, Sept. 21 (Korea Bizwire) – Korea’s leading mobile carrier SK Telecom announced Wednesday the launch of Nuguna Corporation, a virtual company that will serve as a platform to gather various customer ideas for its latest AI service, “NUGU”. 

NUGU, announced on August 31, is based on voice recognition technology that allows users to control home appliances and listen to music using voice commands. 

Spearheading SK Telecom’s latest endeavor will be Lee Doo-hee, one of Korea’s top programmers and hackers best recognized for leaking actress Kim Tae-hee’s high school photo from Seoul National University’s internal network. 

Outside directors who will also aid with the enterprise will include scholars, professionals and chief directors from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, SNU Institute for Cognitive Science, National Association of Cognitive Science Institution, Hongik University, Korea Voice Performance Association, and the Korea Language Processing Laboratory.

NUGU Corporation CEO Lee Doo-hee. (image: Yonhap)

NUGU Corporation CEO Lee Doo-hee. (image: Yonhap)

As for customers, they’ll be able to participate in monthly ‘idea contests’ organized by the company to contribute their creativity. 

The first contest took off Tuesday with the theme “Improving NUGU’s Conversation Skills,” and will continue until October 3. Of the contestants, 34 with the most original ideas will be rewarded a Samsung laptop (1), Samsung Gear IconX (3), or a Melon (music streaming service) subscription voucher (30). 

“With research personnel from a single company, it’s difficult to expect an evolution in AI capabilities, but with the help of a larger group of intellects, we hope to see remarkable progress in a shorter period of time,” said Lee. “We’ll be reviewing all of the contributed ideas for potential application.”

By Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)

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