kt Cloud Signs R&D MOU with Seoul National University AI Institute

Discovery of Mental Health Risk Signals Using Metaverse
Promotion of Self-Directed Management Platform Development

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Hye-seon] kt Cloud announced on the 8th that it has signed a business agreement with the Seoul National University Artificial Intelligence (AI) Institute to develop research and development for metaverse-based mental health assessment and care to manage and improve the nation's mental health through digital means.

According to Statistics Korea, as of 2021, South Korea's suicide rate (number of suicides per 100,000 people) was recorded at 23.6, the highest among OECD member countries. There is a growing call for preemptive mental health management and the establishment of a social safety net for high-risk groups.

In response to these social issues, the Seoul National University AI Institute is promoting the development of a platform that detects early warning signs of suicide risk in high-risk groups based on metaverse digital daily activity data and enables self-directed mental health management. kt Cloud provides infrastructure and technological capabilities such as cloud storage for research and development. The Seoul National University AI Institute will conduct digital log-based mental health status analysis, mental health assessment modeling and technology validation, and pilot digital content development.

Through this agreement, both parties will collaborate not only on technology development and validation but also on pilot service provision and operational systems.

Yoon Dong-sik, CEO of kt Cloud, said, "Starting with research and development cooperation in the medical field with the Seoul National University AI Institute, we will continue to expand digital transformation across various industries and research fields by utilizing cloud infrastructure."