LG Group said Monday it has set up an artificial intelligence research center called LG AI Research as part of its digital transformation strategy to create better value for customers.

The research institute will study data intelligence that predicts optimal judgment through big data analysis, next-generation voice, image recognition and analysis technology, and language processing technology that enables natural situation recognition. To this end, it will establish a high-performance computing system that enables large-scale data-based deep learning research.

To head LG AI Research, LG Group appointed Bae Kyung-hoon, who was previously in charge of the AI promotion team at LG Science Park.

LG Chairman Koo Kwang-mo said, “The purpose of AI that LG pursues is to help customers make their lives more valuable, beyond technology. In the process, LG AI Research will play a key role in developing ways of change and innovation on behalf of the group.”

The center plans to invest about 200 billion won ($184 million) for the next three years and expand the number of key researchers to about 100 next year by recruiting talented people in the AI field. It also aims to foster 1,000 AI experts in the group by 2023.

By Shin Ji-hye (shinjh@heraldcorp.com)