‘From Search to Shopping, Everything AI’ : 2024 Naver Consolidated Report

Naver has unveiled a sweeping transformation strategy grounded in generative AI, declaring the implementation of “On-Service AI” across its entire digital ecosystem. According to the company’s 2024 Consolidated Report, Naver is redesigning its core platforms—including search, advertising, commerce, and local services—with generative AI to enhance user experience and operational efficiency simultaneously. This approach prioritizes hyper-personalization and extends beyond text-based interfaces to multimodal service environments.

In its search business, Naver has strengthened personalized feeds and content recommendations using its proprietary large language model (LLM), while introducing a short-form-centric “Clip” feature to deepen exploratory search experiences. On the advertising front, the company has launched AdVoost, an AI-powered automated platform that enhances targeting precision. In commerce, AI tools now drive personalized product recommendations and purchase guides. The company’s location-based service “Place” has also been upgraded through spatial intelligence to better match users with local businesses.

HyperCLOVA X: The Engine Behind Naver’s AI Vision

At the heart of this strategic overhaul lies HyperCLOVA X, Naver’s next-generation, multimodal LLM capable of processing not only text but also images and speech. HyperCLOVA X powers the company’s AI portfolio, including the conversational service CLOVA X, generative AI search tool Cue:, and CLOVA Studio, a no-code AI development platform aimed at enterprises and developers.

CLOVA Studio enables businesses to integrate their proprietary data with HyperCLOVA X to develop custom AI applications. Voice summarization tools such as CLOVA Note have also evolved to meet real-world use cases. These advances underscore Naver’s accelerated push toward commercializing practical AI solutions, including its Neurocloud platform that integrates AI into B2B cloud environments.

Expanding Globally with Arabic LLM and Strategic Partnerships

Naver’s AI ambitions extend beyond consumer services. The company is expanding its AI and cloud offerings to international markets, particularly in Japan, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. In collaboration with Aramco Digital, Naver is co-developing an Arabic LLM tailored for the Middle Eastern market and is advancing smart city and digital twin initiatives in the region.

Through its venture arm D2SF, Naver is investing in startups across AI, spatial computing, robotics, and healthcare, helping to vertically expand the AI ecosystem.

AI Ethics at the Core: Naver Unveils ASF Safety Framework

Alongside technological innovation, Naver is emphasizing ethical and safety considerations. The company has introduced the AI Safety Framework (ASF), a risk assessment protocol applied to all AI models including HyperCLOVA X. Measures include scrutiny of emotional expressions, speech patterns, and data bias, particularly for voice-based AI applications.

This framework positions Naver not just as a technology provider but as a responsible AI leader, bolstering its credibility as it ventures into global markets.

Democratizing AI Through a 1 Trillion KRW Impact Fund

Naver is also working to democratize access to AI technologies. Central to this mission is its upcoming one trillion KRW Impact Fund, to be deployed over six years. The fund aims to empower creators and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) to harness AI for content creation and business operations.

By lowering technical barriers and providing educational resources and AI tools like CLOVA Studio, Naver hopes to bridge digital divides. The fund also supports the company’s vision of sharing core technologies with external partners and expanding user-centric AI infrastructure, enabling local creators and SMEs to participate in global platforms.

This long-term strategy aims not only to commercialize AI but to embed it as a foundational technology accessible to all, contributing to the inclusiveness and sustainability of South Korea’s AI industry.


FAQ
Q. What is the concept behind Naver’s “On-Service AI” strategy?
A. It is a company-wide initiative to redesign all services with generative AI at the core, enabling hyper-personalized user experiences and seamless integration across platforms.

Q. How does HyperCLOVA X differ from traditional AI models?
A. HyperCLOVA X is a multimodal LLM capable of understanding and generating text, images, and speech, with features that allow enterprise-level fine-tuning for customized applications.

Q. What is Naver’s strategy for the global AI market?
A. Naver is exporting LLM-based AI, cloud, and digital twin technologies to regions such as Saudi Arabia and the broader Middle East, while also expanding its ecosystem through startup investments.

The original report cited in this article is available on Naver’s IR site.

Image source: Naver

This article was produced using ChatGPT and Claude.