Compared to global tech firms like Google which provide various image search services with advancing artificial intelligence technology, similar services provided by South Korean search portals, Naver and Daum, are rather primitive with results relying on matching keywords.
To catch up with foreign giants, Naver has started a test service for its new AI-based image search service "Smart Lens" for randomly selected one percent of the users of its smartphone app. The lucky test users will be able to search for images based on photographs they took with smartphones or uploaded images.
Once the image is selected, Naver's AI will decide what the subject is and start searching for relevant images. "The key point of this service is that it provides a wide range of search results by recognizing images," said Naver.
"We will study how the app users make use of the image search before starting the service for every user from July 11," Naver said. It plans to add its Smart Lens' feature to the company's shopping department, allowing users to search for products by uploading images or taking pictures.
Park Sae-jin = swatchsjp@ajunews.com