By Lee Min-hyung
Microsoft is facing a tough challenge in its machine learning business, failing to draw as much attention as its counterparts, including Google and IBM.
This comes as machine learning, a kind of artificial intelligence (AI), has become a buzzword after the recent go matches between the Google-developed AI system AlphaGo and human go champion Lee Se-dol.
IBM, which is also dubbed an AI forerunner with its supercomputer Watson, has been regarded as a strong player in machine learning, due to its firm foothold in healthcare and finance.
The world's dominant mainframe computer manufacturer recently said Watson started learning the Korean language in its bid to boost its presence in wider sectors in Korea including the banking system, insurance and other IT-related finance fields.
Microsoft is making belated efforts to draw the spotlight away from Google and IBM, but has failed to present any significant sensation in the Korean market.
Last week, Microsoft Korea hosted a seminar to introduce its machine learning strategy with Azure Machine Learning for its local clients.
The company said that its Azure system has allowed not just conglomerates, but small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) to better manage their manufacturing systems.
The local subsidiary of the U.S.-based software giant remains firm about its machine learning drive, saying it doesn't plan to hype its business-to-business (B2B) AI initiative to gain more attention from the public.
"We are focusing on helping our clients generate more profits by using our Azure machine learning system," said a Microsoft Korea official.
"It is true that AlphaGo or Watson helped raise more awareness of machine learning. But at the moment, we have no plans to hold or introduce any eye-catching events targeting the general public."
The official added that the company won't proceed with active marketing gimmicks, though the company has a relatively lower profile than its machine learning rivals.