LG Uplus, Seoul National University, KAIST, Yonsei University to Develop Voice AI Specialized for Korean_languages

Joint Research on Core Voice AI Technology Tailored to the Korean Language

LG Uplus is embarking on the development of the next-generation voice artificial intelligence (AI) engine, "K-Voice Engine," specialized for Korean.

LG Uplus said on November 9 that it had launched the K-Voice AI Alliance with Seoul National University, the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), and Yonsei University.

LG Uplus launched the K-Voice AI Alliance to reduce reliance on overseas technologies and secure voice AI technology optimized for Korean-language conversations. The participating institutions will establish standards for evaluating the performance of Korean voice AI and jointly develop the K-Voice Engine and related technologies for use in a range of services.

(From left) Jeong Seonggwon, Head of AX Service Development Group at LG Uplus; Jeong Hyeyoon, Head of the CX Center; Kevin Cho, CSO; Lee Sangyeop, CTO; Professor Lee Kyogu of Seoul National University’s Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology; Professor Jeong Junseon of KAIST’s School of Electrical Engineering; and Professor Cho Daegon of Yonsei University’s School of Business.

Competition has recently intensified around voice-to-voice (V2V) technology, which enables AI to directly understand human speech and respond verbally. V2V technology can make communication between people and AI more natural by understanding not only the content of speech but also intonation, emotion, and conversational context.

University research teams in Korea specializing in voice and AI will draw on their respective areas of expertise to develop Korean voice technology that can converse naturally with people.

Seoul National University is researching technology that enables AI to converse using a tone and voice suited to the situation and respond naturally while listening to users. KAIST is researching technology that enables AI to determine which person to respond to when several people are conversing and to remember earlier content and maintain context even during lengthy conversations. Yonsei University is analyzing how well customers understand explanations and whether they can complete consultations smoothly when voice AI is used in counseling services.

Lee Sangyeob, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of LG Uplus, said, "Through this industry-academia collaboration, we will secure AI technology specialized for Korean people and the Korean language. We will strengthen our technological competitiveness so that fewer people, including older adults, are left behind in the AI era."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.