Naver is planning to release ‘audio-based simple payment service’ that allows consumers to purchase products audibly by end of this year. It is also going to change into an AI-based technical platform by increasing number of AI (Artificial Intelligence) services that are linked to real lives and utilize ‘Search & Clova’ that combines its search platform and its AI platform called ‘Clova’.
“We are going to apply our AI technologies to tools for originators and small businesses.” said CEO Han Sung-sook of Naver at ‘Naver Connected 2018’, which was held in Samsung-dong on the 21st. Her statement means that Naver is going to create a platform that supports originators and small businesses. Connection between Naver’s search platform and Clova platform is the one that needs to be paid attention to. At this event, about 1,300 major business partners were in attendance.
“This year will be the first year of expanding space time where originators and small businesses are connected to their users through combination of search platform and AI platform.” said CEO Han with emphasis. She hinted that Naver will invest a lot more into AI technologies than it did last year ($372 million (400 billion KRW)).
“Because there are so many new AI-based technologies such as self-driving cars and robotics, it is difficult for us to estimate how much more we are going to invest into AI technologies this year.” said CEO Han.
First, Naver is going to provide its ‘product tag automatic recommendation’ technology to small businesses that are currently working for its shopping service. Whenever these small businesses register their products, this technology automatically suggests tags such as #guest look, #date look, and #long dress.
Naver is also preparing to expose products of these sellers through its AI speakers by end of this year. Starting with daily necessities, people will be able to purchase more various products through Naver’s AI speakers.
Naver is also planning to release Deep Learning analytical technology that automatically recommends relevant products that are needed for dressing whenever clothing products are registered and a payment service that allows one to purchase products audibly by end of this year.
Along with these new technologies and services, Naver is going to help its small businesses optimize their marketing through AI technologies.
Naver is planning to add a function that has its AI technologies analyze ROAS (Return On Ad Spend) that occurs from Naver’s platforms and carry out optimal marketing for small businesses.
This function is going to suggest businesses that pay excessive amount of marketing cost to lower their marketing cost and recommend advertisement keywords that are suitable for their products.
“We are going to push for ways to connect originators and small businesses more closely through combination of search and AI technologies.” said CEO Han.
Naver is going to expand its ‘Partner Square’, which was opened for growth of originators, to country sides and develop Partner Square as an incubator for startups. While Yeoksam will play a role of a headquarter, Busan, Gwangju, and Daejeon chose fashion, food, and startups by young men and women as their main themes.
“As a platform that distributes much information, we truly felt requests for changes.” said CEO Han. “As we face 20 years anniversary of Naver next year, we are going to use this year to redefine our roles and responsibilities.”
Staff Reporter Kim, Jihye | jihye@etnews.com