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| Naver's VIBE, music recommendation service embedded with AI and deep learning technology, which was released June 25 |
By Jun Ji-hye
IT companies here are increasingly focusing on advancing their music service platforms using different strategies and technology such as artificial intelligence (AI) to maximize tailored services for individuals.
The music streaming service market has a lot of room to grow globally and such services could be expanded to various platforms such as cars and smart home packages featuring the internet of things technology.
According to the Korea Creative Content Agency, sales of digital resources, which began to surpass those of records and albums in 2015, is expected to account for 73 percent of the entire music market in 2020.
The nation's top portal operator Naver launched a music recommendation service embedded with AI and deep learning technology, June 25.
The service, called VIBE, makes personalized music recommendations and suggests new songs after analyzing each user's preferences and patterns of listening to music, the firm said.
The service will be connected to the firm's AI platform, the Clova-based speaker Friends, the company added.
"VIBE is the next generation music service focusing on users' personal taste," said Park Jin-e who is in charge of the new service. "We will continue to advance our service so that more musicians can get their music known and more users can listen to better music that suits their taste."
Kakao, an operator of the nation's largest messaging app Kakao Talk, is also seeking to take the lead in the music market by merging with Kakao M, the firm's entertainment affiliate operating music-streaming service Melon.
The firm plans to complete the merger in September.
Joh Su-yong, co-CEO of Kakao, said the merger is aimed at strengthening its entertainment content based on Melon's 4.65 million users.
"Combining Kakao Talk with Melon will create new experiences in music consumption," he said in May when announcing the decision.
The firm is seeking to enhance tailored services for each user by applying its AI platform, Kakao i, to its music service.
Kakao i is a unified AI platform comprised of five engines _ voice recognition, visual recognition, natural language processing, big data-based recommendation and translation.
The firm is also expecting the merger to generate a significant synergy effect through the combination with Kakao Talk, allowing users to share music with friends through the most used mobile messenger.
The firm has also released an AI-based "musicbot" service, providing personalized music recommendations through online chatting.
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