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**Naver and Kakao Compete in Expanding Digital Human Businesses**
Naver and Kakao are expanding their digital human businesses through their respective subsidiaries to target the so-called digital native Generation Z (born after 1995) and broaden their online and offline services. The core strategy of both companies in digital human development is artificial intelligence (AI), which enables them to create lifelike expressions and actions on various platforms.
Naver Webtoon subsidiary Locus-X has created ROZY, a virtual influencer considered South Korea’s first digital human. ROZY can display about 800 expressions using AI technologies like machine learning and is active in various promotions, including as an ambassador for the 2030 Busan World Expo alongside K-pop stars BTS and actor Lee Jung-jae. Naver subsidiary SNOW’s Superlabs has created digital human MOA, a fashionista persona, and plans to expand its scope to metaverse spaces.
Kakao is also strengthening its digital human competitiveness. OnMind, a subsidiary of Kakao Games affiliate Neptune, has unveiled its digital human SUA at the 2023 Shanghai International Motor Show. OnMind, which is planning to expand into the tech-financial sector, is known for being an initial investment of SK Square. Kakao Brain is also developing digital human technology separate from its super-large AI-based image generation model and AI healthcare business. The digital human team at Kakao Brain is researching and developing a deep learning engine that can recognize human appearance and behavior.
https://www.fnnews.com/news/202304301559476774