The country's tech giants have the resources to invest heavily in research, and the government has been supportive, providing companies with money and data to train large language models. However, the cost of developing a large language model that can power a chatbot is estimated to be between $100 million and $200 million. Despite this, South Korean companies believe they can compete by targeting specific areas, rather than trying to dominate the entire internet.
Key takeaways:
- South Korean firms are leveraging AI technology to create systems that cater to local needs, with a focus on non-English languages and cultures, potentially challenging the dominance of American AI companies.
- South Korea's export-driven economy and tech-savvy population make it well-positioned to develop AI technology, with the government providing support through funding and data for training large language models.
- Companies like Naver and LG are targeting their AI models to specific industries, cultures, or languages, rather than aiming for a global market like their American counterparts.
- Despite these efforts, the United States' dominance in AI appears secure for now, with South Korea still trailing behind in the AI race.