Naver Details AI Urban Infrastructure at SusHi Tech 2026

Tokyo, Japan - Naver Corp. presented its strategy for integrating artificial intelligence into urban infrastructure during a 45-minute joint session at the SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026 conference on Monday.

Naver CEO Soo Yeon Choi said the company is focusing on "Sovereign AI"—models designed to localize technology according to regional cultural and value systems. 

Choi said Naver operates search engines, e-commerce platforms, proprietary AI models, and cloud infrastructure, which the company aims to apply to public and social systems.

Naver Cloud Director Juhee Kim outlined specific municipal and enterprise deployments of the company's technology. 

The HyperCLOVA X-based CareCall system is in use in municipalities including Izumo City, Japan, for automated elderly welfare checks and disaster resilience communications. 

The company's LINE WORKS platform is also deploying AI-powered optical character recognition and a voice function called Roger—designed to replace analog radios—to assist frontline workers in transitioning away from analog tools.

Naver Labs CEO Sang-ok Seok said the company's digital twin and robotics operations are intended to serve as future city infrastructure. 

Seok said the company is developing digital twin frameworks for municipalities including Nagai City, Japan, and for projects in Saudi Arabia.

Robotics systems initially developed and tested at Naver's 1784 headquarters are being implemented by international partners including NTT East and Saudi Arabia's NHC and New Murabba, according to Seok.