NVIDIA GTC 2025: Sovereign AI Summit
NVIDIA’s annual AI conference for developers, GPU Technology Conference (GTC), recently concluded with remarkable success in San Jose, California. The event, which began in 2009, featured a keynote presentation by CEO Jensen Huang and numerous sessions and workshops led by industry experts. These provided valuable insights into the current state and future trajectory of cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, and supercomputing.
Jensen Huang’s opening keynote showcased NVIDIA’s roadmap for next-generation AI semiconductors and capabilities. During this year’s Sovereign AI Summit at GTC, NAVER Cloud participated alongside global experts, government representatives, and business leaders to share real-world experiences implementing sovereign AI solutions. We presented NAVER’s journey, highlighting our innovative use cases and outlining our vision for advancing the entire sovereign AI value chain.
NAVER Cloud CEO on the future of sovereign AI
At the Sovereign AI Summit, NAVER Cloud’s CEO, Kim Yuwon, delivered a presentation entitled “Accelerating Journey to Sovereign AI.” The presentation highlighted sovereign AI’s role in addressing each nation’s unique challenges, outlined NAVER’s distinctive approach, and showcased the company’s technologies accelerating this journey. NAVER’s innovative implementation cases and technological expertise across the entire value chain captured the attention of global AI leaders in attendance.
We’ll walk you through the key topics from the “Accelerating Journey to Sovereign AI” presentation.
How NAVER envisions sovereign AI
Sovereign AI transcends mere technology—it’s a philosophy centered on developing AI that deeply understands each nation’s distinct culture, history, and values by leveraging native data and infrastructure.
“With AI, we’ve moved beyond just research and investment. AI must address the real-world challenges we face today. Each country has its own unique circumstances that require tailored solutions. This is precisely why sovereign AI is essential.”
— Kim Yuwon, NAVER Cloud CEO
For a sustainable AI ecosystem, every element in the AI value chain must function symbiotically. Our ultimate goal enables countries to develop their own AI capabilities, empowering them to address their diverse challenges independently.
NAVER’s approach adds essential diversity to the current AI landscape dominated by big tech companies. Sovereign AI becomes the practical solution to the varied challenges nations face globally.
NAVER’s AI value chain: Creating a sustainable ecosystem
- AI services: delivering useful AI solutions to users
- Data: gathering and refining quality training data
- AI backbone: building powerful LLMs like HyperCLOVA X
- Supercomputing infrastructure: running high-performance NVIDIA DGX SuperPOD systems
- Cloud infrastructure: providing NAVER Cloud Platform’s highly scalable infrastructure
- Data centers: housing cutting-edge, hyper-scale facilities such as Gak Chuncheon and Gak Sejong
NAVER possesses exceptional capabilities spanning the entire AI value chain from AI and data to supercomputing infrastructure and data centers.
Our proprietary technology, operational expertise, and cumulative know-how enable us to support nations and businesses pursuing sovereign AI at any stage of their technological development journey.
Sovereign AI in action: real-world success stories
NAVER CareCall in Japan: Solving problems of a super-aging society
Korea and Japan face serious challenges from their rapidly aging populations. How can AI help? In 2021, NAVER launched CLOVA CareCall, providing check-up calls and emotional support to older people living alone. After its success in Korea, the service was adopted by Japan, which faces similar demographic issues. NAVER CareCall in Japan combines NVIDIA’s ACE platform for digital humans with NAVER’s AI technologies to deliver emotional care and regular check-ins for elderly citizens living by themselves. This case demonstrates how sovereign AI can address each nation’s unique social challenges.
Bank of Korea: Balancing financial security with AI innovation
The Bank of Korea, South Korea’s central bank responsible for currency management and issuance, demands exceptional security compliance. We partnered with them to develop a high-performance generative AI platform on dedicated cloud infrastructure, completely isolated within their internal network. We enhanced our HyperCLOVA X model by training it on the bank’s proprietary financial data, creating a specialized finance and economics AI model. We also provided comprehensive training infrastructure and development and management tools that allow the bank to build domain-specific AI services while maintaining AI governance standards appropriate for government institutions.
NAVER Cloud: Your sovereign AI enabler
At NAVER Cloud, we push the boundaries of AI technology while continuously building our competitive edge. Whether you’re a nation or a business seeking sovereign AI expertise, we’re committed to helping you succeed.
We don’t just provide technology—we empower organizations to develop their own AI capabilities that address their unique challenges.
Our vision at NAVER Cloud is built on close partnership. We share our technology, expertise, and practical know-how across the entire AI value chain to speed up your AI journey and deliver real results.
“Sovereign AI can’t be achieved by any single company or country alone. This challenge requires national commitment alongside companies like NAVER with AI value chain experience, working together with global platform leaders like NVIDIA to create a thriving ecosystem.”
— Kim Yuwon, NAVER Cloud CEO
Bringing sovereign AI to Southeast Asia: Delivering results by year-end
NAVER Cloud and NVIDIA are actively collaborating to develop sovereign AI solutions across Southeast Asia. Since reaching a consensus on sovereign AI last year, we’ve been discussing practical business models for the region. We’re now seeking local partners with whom we can build LLMs, infrastructure, and applications tailored to regional needs. Our goal is straightforward: create tangible success stories before year’s end. With proven sovereign AI implementations already running in Japan (with CareCall), Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, and the Bank of Korea, NAVER Cloud plans to strengthen our global market presence.
