Number of AI speakers in Korea to hit 8 million
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The number of artificial intelligence (AI) speakers in Korea is expected to reach the 8 million mark in the new year as the devices gain popularity, a report by a local digital media lab said Sunday. According to the findings by KT Group affiliate Nasmedia, some 40 percent of the country’s 20 million households will likely have an AI speaker in 2019. The numbers represent a sharp increase from just 1 million units supplied in 2017 and the nearly 3 million that have reached the market this year.
“The rise in demand comes from greater choice in terms of the products being offered, as well as more upgraded features that have made the AI speakers more attractive to ordinary consumers,” the 2019 digital media and marketing forecast report claimed.
It added that greater competition among manufacturers to secure the growing market is fueling the spread of such smart devices.
Korean companies – such as SK Telecom, KT, Naver and Kakao – have all rushed to release new AI speakers.
Nasmedia said that, in particular, there has been considerable competition in the area of children-related content and audio shopping services with companies vying with one another to “lock” customers into their ecosystem.
The speakers have been marketed as personal home assistants for adults and even as private tutors for small kids.
Questions & Answers
Q.What is driving the increased demand for AI speakers in Korea?
What is driving the increased demand for AI speakers in Korea?
The rise in demand is due to a wider choice of products available and upgraded features making AI speakers more appealing. Increased competition among manufacturers to capture this growing market is also a significant factor.
Q.Which Korean companies are actively involved in the AI speaker market?
Which Korean companies are actively involved in the AI speaker market?
Korean companies including SK Telecom, KT, Naver, and Kakao have all released new AI speakers. They are competing to secure market share for these smart devices.
Q.What specific areas of content and services are companies competing over for AI speakers?
What specific areas of content and services are companies competing over for AI speakers?
Companies are particularly focusing on competition in children-related content and audio shopping services. They are vying with each other to attract and retain customers within their specific device ecosystems.
Q.How has the availability of AI speakers in Korean households changed over recent years?
How has the availability of AI speakers in Korean households changed over recent years?
The number of units supplied grew from 1 million in 2017 to nearly 3 million this year. It is projected that 40 percent of Korea's 20 million households will likely own an AI speaker in 2019.