Google CEO Sundar Pichai said on the 11th (local time) that Google's artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot "Bard" has prioritized support for Korean along with Japanese as a language other than English, which is a "new challenge."

Speaking at a global press conference at the Google Cloud office building in Sunnyvale, California, Pichai said, "(Korean and Japanese) are very different from the existing English and are very helpful in trying new things."

At its annual developer conference (I/O) the day before, Google announced support for Korean and Japanese languages, fully opening Bard to more than 180 countries around the world.

This is the first time that Bard has supported languages other than English in Korean and Japanese.

"There are a number of things to consider to make new languages more accessible," he said, noting that "Korea and Japan are very dynamic and exciting regions that are on the cutting edge of technology adoption."

"It's worth expanding (our presence) into these two markets that are technologically cutting-edge," he said, adding, "You can see how Korea and Japan are already leading the world in mobile and are the best in the world."



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He then introduced his experience of visiting two countries.

"I had a strong memory of taking a taxi in Seoul in 1999 and the driver was using three mobile phones," Pichai said.

"In Japan, two customers on opposite sides of the table at a restaurant texted each other at a speed I couldn't keep up," he recalled.

Pichai also revealed Google's vision for the future, which celebrates its 3th anniversary this year.

"One of the reasons we started researching AI a few years ago was our mission to bring information and knowledge to as many people as possible," he said, "and I think we're at an inflection point where we can now accomplish what we've been thinking about."

"Now, taking a bold and responsible approach to AI that benefits everyone is our most ambitious vision for the next 25 years."

"It doesn't get anything more exciting, and it's deeply ingrained in our DNA to be bold and responsible in doing this and building technology for all to benefit everyone," he added.

In addition to Pichai, the event was attended by more than 25 journalists from around the world, as well as Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian, Elizabeth Reed, Vice President of Search, and James Manika, Senior Vice President of Research Technology and Society.

(Photo = Yonhap News)