Announced “On-Service AI” Initiative for Core Services Used by Tens of Millions of Users, Including Search, Maps, and Shopping

NAVER Hosted "DAN 24" Integrated Conference

Announced "On-Service AI" Initiative for Core Services Used by Tens of Millions of Users, Including Search, Maps, and Shopping

- NAVER's technology pledged to expand users' knowledge and sensory experiences

- NAVER's convergence of AI, search, and personalized recommendation technologies introduced AI-powered nudge features such as "AI Briefing" to enhance user engagement

- HyperCLOVA X, refined through over a year of hands-on service-integrated projects, underscored NAVER's internal technological strength

- NAVER's globally competitive "spatial intelligence technology" delivered a 3D experience in mapping services, expanding partnerships in Saudi Arabia and Japan

- New AI tools and monetization programs designed to empower creators and communities to drive generative AI ecosystem

- New AI-powered advertising technology platform "ADVoost" and commerce app for personalized shopping experience to be launched next year

- The success of NAVER's "Project Flower" to be expanded to the AI ecosystem, with plans to invest KRW 1 trillion in the "NAVER Impact Fund" over the next six years

November 11, 2024

NAVER Corporation (CEO Choi Soo-yeon) held TEAM NAVER's integrated conference "DAN 24" at COEX from Monday, November 11, to Tuesday, November 12. On the first day of the conference, CEO Choi led the entire 150-minute keynote session, unveiling plans to integrate NAVER's AI core technologies, including HyperCLOVA X and TwinXR, announced last year, into core services used by tens of millions of users.

NAVER Continues R&D with 20%-25% of Annual Revenue Investment, Strengthening Service Competitiveness Through Proprietary Technology Amid Changing Tech Paradigms

CEO Choi began the keynote by stating, "Last year, NAVER unveiled HyperCLOVA X, an upgraded version of HyperCLOVA, the world's third-largest AI model. Since then, we've conducted dozens of extensive testing of generative AI products for users, merchants, and business partners. Now, we're ready for commercialization." She added, summarizing the past year's achievements, "Now, NAVER is ready to deploy a wide range of comprehensive generative AI technologies spanning AI tools for users and creators, business solutions for SMEs and brands, and B2B business areas requiring security and technical expertise, and it's time to integrate these technologies into our actual services."

Furthermore, CEO Choi stated, "By simultaneously possessing proprietary technology and large-scale services used by tens of millions of people, NAVER has secured assets that enable us to demonstrate differentiated movements within the changing trends of the global IT market."

Convergence of Integrated Search, HyperCLOVA X, and Personalization Technology: "AI Briefing" for Comprehensive Search Result Analysis

Choi Jaeho, Head of the Search/Discovery Product Division, introduced NAVER's new generative AI search capabilities. NAVER's generative AI search combines current integrated search technology with AI and personalized recommendation technologies. The "AI Briefing" feature, to be implemented in NAVER's integrated search, was also unveiled. Rather than focusing solely on providing quality answers, "AI Briefing" emphasizes its ability to present numerous high-quality sources.

Initially, NAVER plans to apply this technology to long-tail keywords and foreign language searches where quality documents are scarce, enhancing user satisfaction by enriching search results for both fact-finding and exploratory needs. Set to launch in the first half of next year, "AI Briefing" will support foreign language searches, including English and Japanese, allowing international users to experience new generative AI search methods.

In addition, NAVER plans to provide various AI-powered nudge features such as content summary and recommendation features throughout the search flow to help users stay focused on their search intent and context, creating a complete flow from search to action.

Regarding NAVER's direction in converging integrating AI with integrated search, CEO Choi emphasized, "Instead of limiting connections to sources by providing only answers, we will create a virtuous cycle where more content receives traffic by incorporating AI technology into NAVER's integrated search, which characteristically provides diverse references on a single screen. We are committed to building this with the responsibility of bringing greater opportunities to the creator ecosystem."

Providing New Programs and Tools to Support Creator and Community Growth as New Drivers of Generative AI Ecosystem

NAVER's new generative AI search is creating opportunities for more creators to be discovered and thrive. According to NAVER, since introducing AI-based personalized recommendation technology through Home Feed and Clip features last year, the dwell time on the mobile main page increased by 11% year-over-year, while the creator base doubled compared to the previous year. Lee Il-gu, Head of the Content Service Division, stated, "We will continue to develop new monetization programs and provide AI editing tools that make creation easier and more diverse to help NAVER's creator ecosystem grow bigger and stronger."

Spatial AI Technology Verified in Saudi Arabia and Japan Integrated into NAVER Maps, Offering New Experiences through Digital Twin and ALIKE Mapping Solutions

NAVER Map, an essential app for users in their 10s-30s, will provide domestic users with the world's most innovative map service globally through world-class competitive spatial intelligence technology.

Lee Se-hoon, Leader of Place Biz Planning, introduced the new "Street View 3D" feature in NAVER Map, which incorporates NAVER LABS' spatial intelligence technology. "Street View 3D" goes beyond traditional navigation features to provide more immersive experiences and optimized spatial information by capturing offline information in three dimensions. It also vividly recreates offline spaces in online services through AR navigation, indoor maps, and VR indoor tours. In particular, VR indoor tours are expected to create new business opportunities for offline sellers and brands by providing an immersive online experience without requiring physical visits.

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Following this, Lee Donghwan, Leader of NAVER LABS Vision Group, highlighted NAVER's technological capabilities in spatial AI and introduced NAVER's various ongoing collaborations with global partners to advance its technological prowess. NAVER LABS is currently working on several international projects, including a joint research initiative on digital twin projects with Saudi Arabia, a partnership with Swiss robotics startup Swiss-Mile on robot applications in construction sites using digital twin and positioning systems, and a project with Japan's NTT East involving robotics and AR guides within smart buildings. The "NAVER TwinXR" platform was also unveiled, integrating spatial intelligence technologies including proprietary digital twin solutions, AI-based positioning systems, and cloud services.

Enhancing Advertisers' Operations and Performance Efficiency with "ADVoost," an AI Technology Platform Specialized for Advertising

NAVER's advertising platform is also being enhanced with AI technology. Yun Jong Ho, Head of the Advertisement Product Division, explained the background of building the new advertising platform: "As digital advertising environments become more complex and the distinction between search and display advertising becomes meaningless, we've built 'ADVoost,' a new advertising-specialized AI platform that helps advertisers manage ad content and execute campaigns." The newly developed "ADVoost" enhances interaction between advertisers and users, supporting more efficient ad execution through AI. In addition, user targeting based on data analysis provides optimized advertising solutions while users experience more relevant ads. NAVER reported that when "ADVoost" was pilot-tested on the Home Feed, click-through rates (CTR) increased by approximately 40%, cost-per-click (CPC) decreased by 28%, and overall advertising efficiency improved by more than 30%.

Launching AI Shopping App to Provide New Dimension of Personalized Shopping Experience

Lee Yoon Sook, Head of the NAVER Shopping Business Division, presented the direction for the AI shopping app to be launched in the first half of next year and the alliance-based membership and logistics business. NAVER plans to launch the "NAVER Plus Store" mobile app, separate from the NAVER app, in the first half of next year to provide users with hyper-personalized AI shopping experiences, offering differentiated shopping experiences through more personalized benefits and in-depth product recommendations. In addition, as membership and logistics services built through partner alliances continue to grow steadily, NAVER Plus Membership will expand user benefits, and NAVER's delivery portfolio will diversify to include "Now Delivery" and "Dawn Delivery" services.

HyperCLOVA X Expands Its Core Technology

Since launching HyperCLOVA X, NAVER has consistently updated its generative AI model while conducting various internal tests to combine it with Team NAVER's core services and businesses. Sung Nako, Executive Director of Hyperscale AI, stated, "By applying our proprietary AI technology to various large-scale services, NAVER has been able to combine diverse data and improve models at a fundamental level."

CEO Choi expressed commitment to AI investment, stating, "Just as NAVER has maintained the domestic market by continuously investing in search as a core technology, we will continue technological development through R&D investment of 20%-25% of revenue to protect the domestic AI ecosystem."

Establishing "Impact Fund" with KRW 1 Trillion Investment Over 6 Years to Support Domestic AI Ecosystem Growth

CEO Choi stated, "Mutual growth with tens of millions of users, millions of SMEs, creators, and advertisers is the essence and competitiveness of platform business," and unveiled plans to expand the successful experience of "Project Flower," which has supported SMEs and creators for the past eight years, to the AI ecosystem.

NAVER's "Impact Project," an expansion of "Project Flower," will be broadened to include Tech Impact, helping everyone access NAVER's various technologies, including AI; Business Impact, creating sustainable business opportunities through unique ideas and products; and Community Impact, participating in solving social problems and contributing to healthy community development. NAVER will establish an "Impact Committee" to lead these initiatives and create an "Impact Fund" with a KRW 1 trillion investment over six years. "NAVER Connect Foundation," NAVER's nonprofit educational institution, will invest KRW 60 billion over the next five years to expand the AI education curriculum and nurture talent essential for the AI ecosystem.

Meanwhile, NAVER's flagship technology conference, "DEVIEW" and "Creative" sessions, were held over two days. In the "DEVIEW" sessions, 80 developers gave 42 presentations on AI technologies applied to various services, including search, shopping, advertising, and the NAVER app. The Creative sessions shared insights and knowledge from design, marketing, and branding perspectives in the generative AI environment. /End