Google is accelerating the expansion of its Gemini ecosystem by partnering with South Korean businesses and the government in artificial intelligence (AI) innovation. The company aims to develop AI agents tailored to individual business environments and industry-specific solutions, positioning South Korea as a global hub for AI innovation.
From July 14 to 16, Google is hosting the 'Google AI for Business 2026' event at the Shilla Hotel in central Seoul, showcasing the latest AI technologies and applications in local companies.
Yoon Gu, CEO of Google Korea, stated at a press conference on the first day, "South Korea is not just a testbed for AI; it is a battleground for AI innovation. Success stories from Korea can compete globally due to the intense market competition."
Ruth Sun, CEO of Google Cloud Korea, emphasized the importance of close communication with the government for AI innovation in Korea, stating, "It is crucial for the private and public sectors to collaboratively build the AI ecosystem."
During the event, case studies of AI adoption by domestic companies such as Samsung Electronics and CJ Olive Young were presented. Samsung Electronics is collaborating with Google Cloud to implement Gemini in its internal operations, allowing employees to securely access company data, find necessary information, and solve problems, with the goal of evolving into AI agents capable of performing complex tasks autonomously.
CJ Olive Young is also applying Gemini Enterprise to its retail operations, enabling non-developers in product planning to build customized AI agents and allowing store staff to manage inventory in real-time using AI.
Google explained that providing AI tailored to each company is its core competitive advantage, given the diverse products, services, and work environments across businesses.
According to Google, AI is also changing how consumers search for information. The company found that 76% of South Korean consumers use AI search first when looking for new products or services. Additionally, 87% of consumers are entering longer and more specific search terms to achieve desired results.
However, it is anticipated that AI will not completely replace the role of brands. For high-priced items or significant purchasing decisions, consumers tend to use AI for reference but still rely on traditional searches during the final comparison stage. In fact, 62% of South Korean consumers reported using traditional searches more than AI chatbots when comparing high-involvement products.
The Shilla Hotel's Yeongbin Hall features a 'Gemini Playground' where attendees can experience practical applications of generative AI. Participants explored how Gemini transforms work and daily life, from content creation to shopping, healthcare, and financial consultations.
In the creative experience zone, users could input concepts like "If I were an astronaut" or "If I were an animation character," prompting Gemini to generate corresponding images instantly. The event also demonstrated the ability to create product review videos and promotional content without specialized equipment or creators, including AI-generated voiceovers and background music.
Examples of industry-specific innovations were also highlighted. In healthcare, Kakao Healthcare showcased a service that analyzes diet, blood sugar, and lifestyle data through its 'Pasta' platform, providing personalized health management information. In retail, an AI feature was introduced that recommends clothing and shopping information based on local weather and trends when users input travel destinations and schedules, even supporting virtual fitting. In finance, a collaboration with KB Kookmin Bank demonstrated an AI service that helps customers find and compare necessary financial products and receive consultation.
Ruth Sun remarked, "Korean companies are moving beyond questioning the effectiveness of AI to focusing on how quickly they can make AI a core growth driver. Google Cloud will actively support companies in rapidly transforming bold ideas into results based on a fully integrated AI stack."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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