[2024 Future Business Forum] Kim Dong-gyu, CEO of Caliburs, "Evolving into Next-Generation Metaverse through AI"

Utilizing AI Technology to Realize 'Reality'
Creating Possible Spaces in Society and Culture

Kim Dong-gyu, CEO of Caliberus, is giving a lecture on the theme of "Next-Generation Metaverse and AI" at the "2024 Asia Future Business Forum" held on the 22nd at Lotte Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

"We are advancing toward the next-generation metaverse evolved further with Artificial Intelligence (AI). We also aim to set new global standards."

Kim Dong-gyu, CEO of Caliverse, emphasized this at the '2024 Asia Future Business Forum' held on the 22nd at Lotte Hotel in Sogong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul.

AI is transforming existing industrial ecosystems. Caliverse, a subsidiary of Lotte Innovate, emphasizes 'reality' on its metaverse platform Caliverse, leveraging AI to achieve this. CEO Kim stated, "Lotte Group's AI strategic initiatives are becoming visible," adding, "We aim to leap forward as a high-quality platform and compete with differentiated quality in shopping, entertainment, and more."

Caliverse possesses technology that allows anyone to capture their belongings with a smartphone and create their own digital objects in virtual space using AI. It automatically generates even the hidden parts of products within the metaverse world.

This is not limited to objects but also aids in creating architectural structures. According to CEO Kim, through AI tools, virtual spaces and interior components within the metaverse can be planned and simultaneously visually confirmed in reality. Additionally, it can be applied to displays, posters, and other elements within the metaverse, where AI image generation tools create design resources such as building signage and posters.

The reason Caliverse aims to create a metaverse closely resembling reality by utilizing AI is clear: to create spaces where social, economic, cultural, and educational functions operate practically. Various activities such as community interaction, concert viewing, gaming, and real estate transactions within the metaverse are possible.

AI also enables fusion with reality. In the metaverse Caliverse, users can enjoy K-pop artists and EDM performances. This is available live not only on PCs but also on 3D Virtual Reality (VR) and 3D TVs. Among the technologies enabling this, AI upscaling is particularly important.

In this process, AI also helps improve efficiency. CEO Kim explained, "Rendering (image generation) takes a lot of time to achieve clear, high-resolution images from original footage and graphics," but added, "By using AI tools, AI analyzes the video to enhance clarity and sharpness, shortening the overall workflow time and enabling efficient work processes." AI technology even sets the lighting entering the concert hall.

Efficiency improvements are also evident in motion capture. He said, "To obtain motion data, one can use commonly distributed motion data online or conduct motion capture with significant manpower, time, and cost," adding, "Using AI tools, motion data can be selectively extracted from ordinary videos."

AI technology is also applied to assistants that help with shopping in the metaverse, resembling real people. Consumers can inquire about desired product information through touch or voice. AI-equipped NPCs (Non-Player Characters) or real-time connections to Caliverse respond to consumer questions. This is available live on PCs, 3D VR, and 3D TVs, with AI used to create an environment similar to actual shopping.

AI technology also enhances user immersion. Users can utilize their own AI NPCs to design quests themselves, not just the operators, and build systems that provide rewards for these quests. Through a system called UGC (User Generated Contents), users create not only quests but also content such as fashion shows, avatar customization, and DJing contests, increasing their sense of belonging to the metaverse. CEO Kim added, "It is also possible to generate spaces with various themes usable for quests."

Caliverse launched a global early access service in Korean and English versions in January this year, providing service to a limited 5,000 users. They are currently improving the platform based on feedback and plan to commercialize it in August this year.