[Haeboni] More Delicate than Bard but Not Smarter... Naver AI Search Q:

Quick Answers to Complex and Lengthy Questions
Seamless Integration with Reservations, Shopping, and Payments
Accuracy of Latest Information Is Lower

"Are there any restaurants in Mullae-dong where I can have brunch on the weekend? It would be great if there is a terrace, and it shouldn't be a no-kids zone."

When this question was asked to Naver's generative AI search service 'Cue:' launched on the 20th, it found three restaurants. It also added a helpful detail that Restaurant A has wide seat spacing, making it comfortable to enjoy the atmosphere. Previously, one had to search separately for 'Mullae-dong brunch restaurants,' 'Mullae-dong terrace restaurants,' and 'restaurants good for going with kids in Mullae-dong' and then combine the results to find such information. In contrast, Cue: perfectly understands complex and lengthy questions. You can just throw out your spontaneous questions without order.

The same question was asked to Google's AI chatbot 'Bard.' Although it suggested places with terraces and brunch menus, some were located in Icheon, Gyeonggi-do, and it lacked information about no-kids zones, thus not fully comprehending the question. ChatGPT even recommended restaurants that do not exist. This contrasts with Cue:, which provides precise answers based on various user-generated content (UGC) such as blogs and Knowledge iN. This means it is useful for real-life searches including location-based information.

Naver's generative AI search 'Q:' is integrated with various Naver services such as Shopping, Pay, and Place.
[Photo by Naver]

There is another reason why it smoothly handles complex questions. The AI understands questions systematically like a human. This is called 'multi-step reasoning.' For example, if asked about 'nutritional supplements good for office workers with chronic fatigue,' it searches in the order of 'supplements good for chronic fatigue - dosage - comparison' and then organizes the answer. It breaks down the question on its own and finds answers according to logical flow. It also provides additional information suitable for the answer. If asked how to improve running, it shows videos of the movements; if asked about cafes with beautiful ocean views, it shows photos of the view.

Cue: is connected with other Naver services such as shopping, reservations, and payments. If you type, "Tell me recipes using leftover japchae from Chuseok, and I want to buy the ingredients too," it shows the ingredients and cooking methods at the top and products available for immediate order among the needed ingredients at the bottom. Since it links with Naver Shopping and finds products at stores near the user's registered address, the purchase can be completed with just a few clicks. It feels like it takes you all the way to the final destination of shopping, which was the original reason for the search.

Although convenient, the function itself is similar to Google's recently released Bard Extensions. Bard answers by linking with Google services such as Gmail, Google Docs, Google Maps, and YouTube through extensions. With the emergence of generative AI that understands human speech well, it is no longer unusual for search and various vertical services to be integrated like one body. However, the accuracy of the latest information can be lower than Bard’s. When asked about the timing of Japan’s contaminated water discharge, Bard answered precisely, "It started at 1:03 PM on August 24, 2023." In contrast, Cue: said, "They are adjusting plans to discharge around August." Although the list of articles referenced in the answer included content about discharge on the 23rd, it was not reflected.

On the other hand, Cue: excels over Bard in Korean language skills. When asked what "Gang-an-ri Deunkin Donatsu Ham Mubanna" means, Cue: answered accurately, explaining it means "Have you tried donuts at the Dunkin' Donuts store located near Haeundae Beach in Busan, in Busan dialect?" Bard, however, gave a strange answer, saying, "Did you eat a dog Deunkin Donut in Korean?" Clearly, Cue gives the impression that it understands not only the Korean language but also Korean culture. A Naver official said, "Cue: best grasps the intent embedded in Korean questions and presents answers delicately."