Jane Edwards
IBM and South Korea-based information technology firm SK Holdings C&C will collaborate on efforts to add Korean to the IBM-built Watson cognitive computing platform’s list of seven conversational languages.
IBM said Sunday the partnership aims to provide application program interfaces and services designed to help South Korean application developers develop their own software apps in their native language.
SK Holdings CEO Park Jung-ho said the alliance reflects SK’s efforts to promote the adoption of artificial intelligence and expand the company’s AI-based information services.
SK Holdings will operate IBM Bluemix and Watson through its Pangyo Cloud Center in an effort to provide assistance to universities and local companies across various industries.
The companies will also collaborate on programs that would leverage the use of the system in robotics, mobile devices and call center operations, set up a fund to support education initiatives and establish collaboration between industry and academic institutions to support artificial intelligence professionals.
IBM and SK Holdings expect to launch Korean language-based cognitive services in early 2017.
