"We had in-depth discussions with MS, with whom we have formed a partnership, regarding AI services at the event . Together with MS , we plan to launch a Korean AI service that understands and operates efficiently in Korean as well as English next year. We will not miss this opportunity and will repay you with a good service model." This was revealed by Yoon Kyung-ah, head of KT AI Tech Lab (Senior Managing Director) , who attended
Microsoft's ( MS ) annual technology conference ' MS Ignite 2024' . Including Executive Director Yoon, key executives of KT in charge of AI business attended this event with 10 AI startups. The MS Ignite event was held in Chicago, USA for five days from the 18th. KT is looking to present services such as AI assistants together with MS as early as the first half of next year , while also exploring ways to collaborate with AI startups.
■"Seriously into Japanese AI cloud... Korea needs to speed up"
KT , which has formed a strategic partnership with MS , participated in 'MS Ignite' for the first time along with 10 promising startups that it is fostering . Startups participating with KT include Levelup, Upstage, Vessel AI, DeepNatural, Saltlux, Selectstar, AimIntelligence, INEEJI, Adriel, and IlmanBaekman.
MS Ignite is a place that provides in-depth technical learning and networking opportunities for practitioners. This event discussed going beyond the use of AI models to the stage where users can create and utilize them according to their purposes. In particular, MS shocked the market by announcing various AI agents linked to its self-developed AI app 'Copilot' at this event. It developed AI agents specialized in detailed tasks such as interpretation, work sharing, and project management, and even released a development kit that allows customers to create and use their own AI agents according to their work purposes.
Kim Hoon-dong, AI and data lead manager (senior managing director) of KT Consulting Group , said, "Just like the global IT events I've been to in recent years, the participation of Japanese businesspeople is increasing at this event as well," and added, "Toyota Motors has been active in raising the topic of AI , and KT is discussing with large domestic companies how to lead the AI transition on Microsoft 's cloud 'Azure' ." Managing Director Yoon said, "I used to think Japan was slow to develop IT , but now it is moving to the cloud faster than Korea and is serious about AI ," and added, "I also thought that Korea could fall behind if it's not careful."
