Korea, U.S. startups form AX Alliance to deal with rising demand for AI projects

Six AI startups from Korea and the United States have formed an alliance on Tuesday to collaborate on creating customized AI platforms for enterprises.

From left, Cloocus CEO Steve Hong, Nurier System CEO Kim Dong-young, Ringnet CEO Lee Jung-min, Twolinecode CEO Hyun Seung-yeop and Wisenut CEO Kang Yong-seng pose for the photo at the ceremony to commemorate the formation of AX Alliance in southern Seoul on Tuesday. [CLOOCUS]

Six AI startups from Korea and the United States have formed an alliance on Tuesday to collaborate on creating customized AI platforms for enterprises.

Five domestic AI startups — Cloocus, Nurier System, Ringnet, Twolinecode and WiseNut — as well as New York-based Wiz say that combining their efforts under the AI Transformation Alliance (AX Alliance) is necessary to meet the rising demands of clients looking to integrate the much-hyped technology into their systems.

“We gathered to work as if we’re one company, to unite our technologies to help our clients quickly and easily implement AI into the new platforms they wish to build,” Cloocus CEO Steve Hong said at a press event to outline the AX Alliance’s roadmap in southern Seoul. “Among the six of us, there are 300 employees devoted to AI, and we believe that we can handle at least 30 projects simultaneously.”

Hong also mentioned the possibility of establishing a separate joint venture “if things go well."

Specifically, Cloocus, Ringnet, WiseNut and Wiz will work to build cloud-based security infrastructure. WiseNut, Cloocus and Twolinecode will handle optimizing AI model performance and systems based on corporate data. Twolinecode will also provide tailored services for microservice architecture and application programming interfaces, while Nurier System will develop security-based AI portals.

“It is difficult for a single company to handle all the components of the AI technology stack,” said Wisenut’s Executive Director Lee Seok-won. “[For instance,] managed service providers might lack experience in AI elements, while AI companies may not have sufficient capabilities in service planning and implementation.

“[But] Korean enterprise clients use the system integration approach of adopting an entire system, but the depth of these technologies are so extensive, with the advent of large-scale AI systems, that no single company can become Superman and solve everything.”

AX Alliance’s ultimate goal, is to keep up with the rapidly evolving technology to become the solution provider while reducing the redundant investments and operating costs that come with securing technological capabilities in all areas.

“Our purpose at AX Alliance is about how swiftly we can respond to technological advancements, and we are not tied to any specific business model,” Hong said. “Our goal is to quickly adapt to the new technologies, learn from them and provide our clients with the most optimal solutions.”

BY LEE JAE-LIM [lee.jaelim@joongang.co.kr]