Naver is expanding its artificial intelligence transformation (AX) support beyond Smart Store operators to include offline small business owners.
The company announced January 16 that it will support AX for offline businesses as part of its "Impact Program" aimed at fostering Korea's AI ecosystem.
Starting January 28, Naver will launch "Place School" to help offline business operators strengthen their solution utilization capabilities. The program will support 8,000 participants annually. From June, the company will roll out a "Digital Transformation (DX) Growth Support Program" targeting 10,000 Naver Place business operators per year. The program provides on-site consulting to help digitize overall store operations including visits, orders, reservations, and payments, and build analytical capabilities based on the data. The "Be Local Week" campaign, which connects major local commercial districts with digital platforms, will expand to up to three regions this year following last year's pilot in Gyeongju.
Simultaneously, Naver is strengthening support programs to enhance AI utilization capabilities for online business operators. The "Growth Mileage" program, launched in July last year, plans to expand the scope of AI technology tools and eligible participants starting in the third quarter of this year. The Growth Mileage program provides AI solutions and technology tools to Smart Store business operators.
