[Virtual Human 2.0] Baek Gyeonghun, LG AI Research Director: "An Era Where AI Determines Corporate Competitiveness"

"With Supermassive AI, Even Ordinary People Can Produce Expert-Level Results"
"The Future Lies in AI Technology... Creating New Industries as Well"

Editor's Note Virtual humans are evolving. They no longer remain mere creations clad in computer graphics that move according to human-made scenarios. Through ultra-large artificial intelligence (AI), they think and make decisions on their own. Last year, virtual humans made a dazzling debut as TV commercial models, limited to entertainers such as models and influencers. However, equipped with brains and independent thinking, Virtual Human 2.0 now replaces humans in top 1% expert fields such as scientists, new drug researchers, and financiers, as well as jobs like call center staff and museum docents. Although not fully creative, they have also ventured into creative fields such as art, music, and poetry. Because they can consider more possibilities faster than humans, they produce unexpected results that are recognized as part of the creative domain. How far can virtual humans replace human activities? How close can they get to humans? We shed light on the era of Virtual Human 2.0 with infinite possibilities.

[Asia Economy Reporter Yuri Choi] 'Tilda,' who surprised people by appearing at New York Fashion Week, is a good example of an evolved virtual human. Equipped with LG's ultra-large AI 'Exaone,' she demonstrated capabilities beyond those of early 3D graphic-based virtual humans. Collaborating with humans, she created images never seen before. We asked Baek Hoon Bae, director of LG AI Research Institute who created Tilda, about the future of virtual humans.

"Tilda equipped with Exaone is a new partner for humans"

"Even now, 'Exaone' is evolving into an advanced expert through reinforcement learning and continuous learning. Through expert AI, the general public will also be able to produce results similar to those created by experts using ultra-large AI."

Director Bae described the ultra-large AI Exaone as "a helper that makes human life more valuable." The goal of LG AI Research Institute is to enable Exaone to collaborate with humans in high value-added areas to achieve better outcomes.

LG AI Research Institute was launched in December 2020 as LG's AI think tank. It is responsible for developing ultra-large AI with an investment of $100 million (about 130 billion KRW) over three years. At that time, Director Bae, who led LG Science Park's AI Promotion Team, was appointed as the first director. He holds a Ph.D. in electronic engineering and is an applied research expert who has solved practical AI problems such as vision recognition, speech, and language intelligence. He has led new technology business discovery at telecom companies including SK Telecom and LG Uplus.

While existing AI improved productivity or operational efficiency by replacing repetitive tasks, ultra-large AI is a kind of partner with broad capabilities. Director Bae said, "Debuting the virtual human 'Tilda' equipped with Exaone on the New York Fashion Week stage was to demonstrate the possibility of collaboration with humans," adding, "We will continue various attempts to prove that AI is a partner with infinite possibilities."

Helping human decision-making in specialized fields such as medical, legal, and financial sectors is also a role of ultra-large AI. To this end, LG AI Research Institute is developing 'explainable AI' technology. This technology allows humans to understand on what basis AI's results were derived and, if errors occurred, what the causes were.

They also expect technical 'chemistry' with the metaverse (extended virtual world). Using ultra-large AI, it is possible to realize backgrounds never seen before in real time and create characters from unimaginable images.

The future competitiveness of companies depends on the advancement of ultra-large AI

The reason for driving ultra-large AI research and development is that it is seen as a technology that determines corporate competitiveness. Director Bae emphasized, "The sales gap between Amazon, which quickly adopted AI technologies such as personalized product recommendations, and offline retail company Macy's, which did not, is widening dramatically. It is no exaggeration to say that corporate competitiveness goes hand in hand with AI technology."

He also predicted that new industrial sectors will be created. One example is research on battery life prediction and process shortening using AI technology. Improving production cycles through this can be a catalyst for establishing more eco-friendly processes or opening new recycled battery markets.

Director Bae cited a prepared collaboration system as a factor that will determine ultra-large AI competitiveness. Even if AI performance is secured, various capabilities such as data provision, infrastructure construction, and solution development are necessary for commercialization. He said, "LG AI Research Institute plans to open a platform within this year through the 'AI Alliance,' which includes various companies, enabling people without coding expertise or AI developers to utilize Exaone's functions. Because solving various issues in actual industrial sites requires diverse expertise, we will continuously seek partners and collaborate in more fields such as pharmaceuticals, design, advertising, and public safety."