In the wake of the “DeepSeek Shock,” which has intensified competition in the AI space, Naver has unveiled a major update to its flagship AI model, HyperClova X. The new version is lighter, faster, and more efficient, with a 40% reduction in parameters compared to the previous model. Despite being smaller, it outperforms its predecessor in performance and reduces operating costs by over 50%. This upgrade positions Naver to compete more effectively against emerging players like DeepSeek.
This advancement follows the recent DeepSeek: The “Cost-Effective AI” Capturing Global Attention, highlighting the increasing competition in AI innovation.
What’s New in HyperClova X?
The updated HyperClova X introduces several key improvements:
- Weight Reduction: The model now uses only 40% of the parameters of the previous version, making it lighter and more efficient.
- Cost Efficiency: Operating costs have dropped by more than 50%, thanks to the streamlined design.
- Enhanced Performance: The new model outperforms the old one across 19 benchmarks, including Korean, English, coding, and mathematics.
- Video Understanding: A new video comprehension feature has been added, enhancing its multimodal capabilities.
- Visual Improvements: The model’s ability to process visual data, such as charts and graphs, has also been upgraded.
How Does It Compare to DeepSeek?
The “DeepSeek Shock” has pushed companies to develop low-cost, high-performance AI models. In this competitive landscape, HyperClova X stands out with its efficiency and versatility. While DeepSeek has gained attention for its cost-effective solutions, Naver’s latest update ensures HyperClova X remains a strong contender.
In global benchmarks like MMLU, which tests AI knowledge, HyperClova X scored 79.6%. This puts it on par with leading models like Anthropic’s Claude 3 SONET and Alibaba’s Q1 32B. Although Naver hasn’t disclosed the exact size of the model, it claims HyperClova X matches the language understanding capabilities of similar-sized models from global tech giants.
Multimodal Capabilities
The update also advances HyperClova X’s multimodal abilities, allowing it to process various types of data, including visual and auditory inputs. For example, it can now answer questions about videos and interpret complex charts with greater accuracy. This positions HyperClova X as a versatile tool in the AI market, competing with models like DeepSeek that also emphasize multimodal functionality. For instance, Chinese Automakers Embrace DeepSeek AI for Smarter Cars, leveraging AI-powered insights to enhance vehicle intelligence and automation.
What’s Next?
Naver plans to integrate the updated HyperClova X into its services, starting with Clova X, its interactive AI chatbot, in March. The model will also be available to corporate customers through the NAVER Cloud Platform.
Later this year, Naver will release a version of HyperClova X with voice conversation capabilities. This will allow for more natural and interactive communication, further enhancing its usability and keeping pace with innovations from competitors like DeepSeek.
Why This Matters
Naver’s focus on creating a low-cost, high-performance AI model is a direct response to the competitive pressure from DeepSeek. By reducing operating costs and improving efficiency, HyperClova X can be integrated into a wider range of services. This aligns with Naver’s strategy of embedding AI into all its offerings to enhance user experiences.
Leadership’s Perspective
Nakho Sung, Head of AI Technology at NAVER Cloud Hyperscale, emphasized the company’s commitment to innovation. “We’ve been researching ways to operate high-performance AI models at low costs,” he said. “We’ll continue to improve reasoning abilities and expand multimodal capabilities to compete globally, especially in a market influenced by players like DeepSeek.”
Conclusion
Naver’s updated HyperClova X is a major step forward in AI technology. With its lighter design, lower costs, and enhanced capabilities, it sets a new standard for efficiency and performance. As Naver rolls out these updates across its services, users can expect smarter, faster, and more intuitive AI experiences. In a market shaped by the “DeepSeek Shock,” HyperClova X proves that Naver is ready to compete and innovate. The future of AI is here, and HyperClova X is leading the charge.
Naver’s HyperClova X is setting a new industry benchmark by combining efficiency with cutting-edge AI advancements. As seen in AI Takes Center Stage: Allegra’s Fun and Creative Campaign, AI is becoming more adaptable across industries. With HyperClova X, Naver is making AI smarter, faster, and more accessible for users worldwide.
