The Korea Electronics Technology Institute (KETI) will work together with Carnegie Mellon University in the United States to develop an artificial intelligent digital companion knowledgeable in quintessential Korea’s social and cultural customs and practices, KETI said on Wednesday.

KETI said the two institutions signed an agreement to share their experience and knowledge in designing an AI system equipped with social cognition skills and cooperate to develop human-computer communication solutions for a Korean version of a digital companion.

Digital companion is AI-based computer assistance that will interact with humans based on a user’s situational context including emotional status.

It is part of the KETI’s project to develop AI-based digital companion technology with local and overseas research centers over the next five years. The Korean institution is to receive 70 billion won ($61.6 million) state fund for the project.

With the help from Carnegie Mellon University, the KETI will focus on the development of digital companion technology that will ensure seamless interaction between humans and computers by understanding Korean language and social and cultural context, said Park Chung-won, president of KETI, expecting the adoption of a Korean version digital companion should enhance competitiveness of local companies.

By Choi Hyun-jae

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