South Korean mobile carrier SK Telecom (SKT) announced on Friday that it has enhanced its chatbot, “A.,” by integrating Microsoft’s cloud technology and the power of OpenAI’s ChatGPT. A. was initially launched as a beta version in South Korea last year and has since undergone upgrades to enhance its capabilities.
The latest addition to A. is a feature called “Chat T,” which utilizes ChatGPT’s technology based on Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI cloud computing service. Users can interact with the chatbot and receive answers similar to how they engage with ChatGPT.
In addition, SKT introduced a chatroom function to A. that enables users to have conversations with an AI character. Through these exchanges, users can share details about their daily lives, creating an experience akin to conversing with a close friend, as stated in SKT’s press release.
Differentiating A. from ChatGPT, SKT has incorporated several cartoon avatars with which users can interact. The company has also introduced additional AI agents named “A. friends,” equipped with conversational AI technology that facilitates emotional and human-like interactions.
SKT, primarily known as a mobile network provider, has been actively diversifying its business into new ventures. The company plans to launch a flying taxi service by 2025 and aims to secure a $400 million valuation for its AI chip spin-off, Sapeon, through an upcoming funding round, as reported by CNBC in February.