Startups from South Korea that focus on enhancing images and videos through artificial intelligence (AI) technology are achieving significant global recognition. These companies are excelling in specific sectors within AI where major U.S.-based corporations have typically held sway.
LVMH, a luxury group, employs AI for spotting fakes from their premium labels. This artificial intelligence monitors online marketplaces and social platforms, pinpointing illicit luxury items, gathering proof, and flagging breaches. Developed by MarqVision—a firm started in 2019 by South Korean entrepreneur Lee In-sup in America—the tech aids over 300 international brands and content providers globally. Led by this ex-McKinsey advisor, MarqVision’s platform identifies both knockoff products and unapproved merchandise transactions like stolen comics and videos. In just last year, they uncovered more than 50.41 million instances of infringement and piracy activities, amassing approximately $17 million ($25 billion KRW) annually across the globe.
Although major players in large language models (LLMs) include prominent US-based technology corporations such as OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, and Meta, South Korean start-ups boasting extensive knowledge in visual artificial intelligence have carved out a niche for themselves in specific sectors. Industry experts anticipate that AI-powered imaging and videography capabilities will be crucial components in areas such as self-driving vehicles.
The South Korean startup Twelve Labs, which was the first to secure significant funding from AI hardware company NVIDIA, has garnered notice for its advanced AI-driven video search capabilities. This technology enables the identification of particular scenes—such as “a person grasping a pen inside an office”—within extensive recordings in merely one second. Major entities like MLSE, the leading sports entertainment organization in North America, along with the NFL, utilize this AI system developed by Twelve Labs to examine game videos, extract pivotal instances, and produce fresh material.
Korean artificial intelligence firms are advancing significantly in the field of medical imaging, which relies heavily on non-verbal data such as MRIs and CT scans. AIRS Medical, an AI-driven healthcare firm, has created specialized software designed to improve MRI clarity, expedite scanning processes, and enhance overall image quality. This innovative solution is utilized by over 460 health facilities spanning 26 nations worldwide—including locations in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and Japan—with international earnings accounting for more than fifty percent of their total income.
Another Korean startup named Inocras specializes in using AI to scrutinize individuals’ complete genetic makeup for both diagnosing cancers and tailoring treatments accordingly. They collaborate closely with the Broad Institute—a renowned genomics institute linked to MIT and Harvard—to reassess information derived from what is globally recognized as one of the most extensive databases dedicated to cancer patients’ genomic profiles known as The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA).
The achievements of Korean start-ups in non-language-based artificial intelligence (AI) can largely be credited to easier development processes relative to those involving language models. Unlike language-focused systems, these do not require large volumes of textual information—often available predominantly in English—which presents obstacles for nations lacking abundant resources of this type of content. According to Lee Kang-joon, CEO at Dunamu & Partners—an investor in companies like AIRS Medical and Inocras—the advantage lies in Korea’s ability to leverage centrally managed healthcare datasets sourced from leading institutions within Seoul along with the national Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service; conversely, American counterparts face greater complexity due to needing dispersed collections from various regional facilities.
Additionally, focusing specifically on industry-oriented AI solutions has shown significant advantages. As stated by a spokesperson from MarqVision, “Asian markets characterized by robust online retail sectors gain an edge through their capability to compile comprehensive databases related to counterfeiting images.” This approach enables them to develop advanced technologies much earlier than competitors—in MarqVision’s case even prior to platforms similar to ChatGPT gaining prominence—and achieve global recognition today.
