LG Uplus, SM Entertainment to launch AI Idols

South Korea's LG Uplus Corp. said on Sunday that it will team up with SM Entertainment Co. to develop content using generative artificial intelligence (AI), following the signing of a business agreement on August 29.

The two companies plan to leverage LG Uplus’ proprietary generative AI, ixi-GEN, to produce music videos, short-form content, and merchandise for SM Entertainment’s virtual artist Nævis.

Nævis, a virtual female artist with an AI-generated voice, is set to debut on September 10.

LG Uplus also recently launched a variety show, Boss Riize, on August 28, featuring another SM Entertainment artist, Riize.

Earlier this year, LG Uplus initiated the ixi Production project, which integrates AI across all marketing activities.

This project includes creating advertisements with its AI technology, ixi, and deploying AI chatbots on Instagram.

The development of Nævis content is part of this broader initiative.

Write to Joo-Hyun Lee at deep@hankyung.com