Taking to the Runway During Fashion Week

From newly designed street wear, injections of color and wearable art, it was clearly out with the old and in with the new at Australia’s highly anticipated fashion event of the year last month. Afterpay Australian Fashion Week (AAFW) provided Australian designers with the opportunity to launch their latest fashion lines to influential industry members and technology was at the forefront of this year’s longstanding fashion event, enhancing show formats and experiences both on the runway and behind the scenes.

And who better than LG Electronics in Australia to educate guests about technological advancements in garment care? So it made perfect sense for LG to team up with AAFW as the official laundry appliance partner at this year’s event.

Not only did LG Electronics get to introduce the large capacity LG Styler and LG WashTower to the Australian market for the first time, the sponsorship also provided an opportunity to connect with new consumer segments and collaborate with influential fashion industry personalities.

Right in the heart of the central hall at AAFW where some of Australia’s most iconic designers and personalities wandered in between shows, LG Electronics had its brand activation set up with its Styler and WashTower products. The space known as the LG Refresh Zone mimicked the design of a luxury walk-in wardrobe. Guests had the opportunity to experience the unique benefits of the LG Styler, whereby they could refresh their coats, jackets and other garments by checking them in between shows.

Adhering to COVID-19 local government requirements and to ensure the safety of all attendees at AAFW and those who entered the LG Refresh Zone, guests were required to check-in using the Service NSW app and have their temperatures checked upon entry. Guests were furthermore encouraged to wear face masks during the shows and whilst visiting the LG Refresh Zone. At the same time, capacity was monitored and hand sanitizer was readily available throughout the venue.

The activation saw several high-profile guests stop by, including well-known bohemian-inspired Australian fashion designer, Camilla Franks. In addition, LG Electronics partnered with style icon and E! Online Australia host, Tammy White, who utilized her strong social presence to create content around “a week in the life of AAFW with the LG Styler”. This partnership created online traction and buzz about the new LG Styler and the company’s affiliation with AAFW.

During the same week, LG Electronics Australia collaborated with sought-after Australian designer to the stars, Michael Lo Sordo, whose looks were previously worn by Kourtney Kardashian, Sarah Hellen, Solange Knowles and Jeffree Star, to launch his Resort ‘22 collection.

As a leading sponsor of Michael’s exclusive and intimate dinner and presentation, One Night in Paris, the LG Styler was used backstage to refresh his new line made of textures and fabrications including wools, cottons, leathers and silks. Simultaneously, LG gram laptops were integrated into the presentation to demonstrate how seamlessly the device could integrate with modern luxury designs as an accessory.

Michael Lo Sordo’s Resort ’22 collection represents a fusion of casual glamour and modernity that can be worn from day to night. The LG gram range was integrated effortlessly in Michael’s presentation, as the laptop boasts the same flexibility to suit a range of lifestyles, delivering a simple yet stylish design whilst enhancing productivity.

Contributed by LG Australia

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[AI Experience] The Future of Human-AI Relationship

An illustration of a man being influenced by artificial intelligence with images representing Human-AI relationships

In this final episode of our six-part AI Experience series, we examine the dynamics of the human-AI relationship and what that will mean for the evolution of the technology.

Throughout history, humans have always been masters of the technologies and machines they have created. But with artificial intelligence, the dynamics of this relationship may change. Distinct from other technologies in that it can learn from interactions and usages, AI is perhaps most recognizable today as the virtual assistants we call by name when we want something, whether that be information or the kitchen lights to turn off. As AI continues to evolve, it is expected to outgrow this role as helper to become more of a companion.

Even now, AI-enabled devices are able to provide some degree of companionship. For the elderly or others living on their own, products such as smart speakers can offer a valuable sense of connection, responding verbally to queries in more conversational ways. Beyond the comfort of another voice and the feeling of a sympathetic (and synthetic) ear, AI machines can also provide a degree of safety by connecting users to relevant services when needed. If we take that one step further, AI systems will in the future be able to perceive changes in our behavior to determine our moods and respond appropriately, making it easy for humans to forget that they’re still communicating with a machine.

Below, we take a look at five different areas concerning the constantly evolving relationship between humans and AI.

Collaboration

Human-AI collaboration is already having an impact on how we perform tasks and make decisions, although its scope is somewhat limited at this time. Once the technology has reached a certain point where we can better understand context, motivation and non-verbal cues, AI will then be able to contribute to genuinely collaborative endeavors, meaningfully helping us to increase our capabilities and knowledge in almost every arena imaginable.

“We are all interesting creatures, not because we exist in a vacuum and we can just think on ourselves, we’re interesting because we interact with others,” said Charles Lee Isbell Jr., dean of computing at Georgia Institute of Technology. “We learn by interacting with others, they get transferred knowledge generation to generation. And I think that is sort of where the sweet spot is around AI.”

Learning

Collection of data is crucial to machine learning and its continuing improvement. Going forward, it’s critical that what AI learns should be made as transparent as possible. Experts from a diverse range of disciplines should be actively involved throughout AI’s development to ensure the learning process itself is robust, representative and ethically sound. Learning about AI and its implications is something everyone – not just those directly involved in its creation – should invest time in, as education may help us to predict and avert future challenges and threats.

Professor Zafiroglu of 3A Institute advocates a multidisciplinary approach, urging the next generation of AI practitioners to “go out into the world and work in a variety of settings, from policy and industry to academia and education at the non-university level to think tanks as well as product and strategy teams.” Incorporating different perspectives and learnings into AI will help to forge intelligent systems that can work with, as well as for us.

Empathy

Having empathy means the ability to understand and share someone else’s feelings, a distinctly human trait. For AI to be able to detect the emotional state of a user and respond appropriately, it will need the capacity to recognize body language, tone of voice and most probably, physiological changes. Once it can do all of these things, and accurately interpret the demands of the specific context, AI will become immeasurably more helpful. For instance, recognizing an individual’s concern about a job interview, an empathetic AI could help alleviate this concern by generating a list of interview questions, providing feedback on answers or recommending the optimal route to the interview venue.

With the obvious benefits of an AI with high emotional quotient also come considerable risks with regards to privacy so a safety net should be put in place to prevent its misuse. The European Union and many governments worldwide are currently addressing the question of how to ensure effective oversight for high risk AI technologies. At the same time, the companies providing these technologies will need to demonstrate that next to delivering value, user safety is their main concern.

Fallibility

As with any relationship, the human-AI relationship will require time and effort to develop properly. Humans must accept that AI will take a certain amount of time to learn from and adapt to their behaviors and preferences and to acquire new skills. Users should also understand that fallibility is not a one way street as AI is learning from them. Users also have to contend with any biases, preconceptions or misconceptions they may have, which can affect the nature or outcome of an interaction.

Whether AI incorporates bias purposefully or not, we must consider the consequential nature of decisions that AI systems are making. Either way, our relationship with AI will be just like our relationship with each other. In other words, it’s going to take time and effort.

Interface

The way we interact with an AI solution is directly influenced by the design of its interface. Some forms of AI are more collaborative in nature, requiring frequent human input to deliver maximum value, while others run quietly in the background, automating our lives and supporting us with infrequent interaction. Different types of systems obviously necessitate different kinds of interfaces but it must ultimately be intuitive to use if it is to gain greater acceptance and wider adoption. Along with ease of use, interoperability is something that companies must work towards if AI is to flow seamlessly from one area of our lives to another.

“There are no standards of interoperability,” states Gabi Zijdervel, chief marketing officer and head of product strategy at Affectiva. “I believe a consortium of industry will have to come together to solve this, cross-vertical and cross-use cases.”

Although some still fear that AI will replace actual humans, the more likely future is one companionship and partnership. With the foundation already in place, we can look forward to a more equal and rewarding relationship with AI, not to mention a shining new chapter in the history of humankind.

For more on this topic, visit www.AIXexchange.com. Developers and potential partners interested in LG’s ThinQ Platform should check out thinq.developer.lge.com.

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LG SIGNATURE Supports Worthy Cause with “STRONGER TOGETHER” Charity Auction

An introduction image of STRONGER TOGETHER Charity Auction

10-Day Online Event Highlights Partnership with
Amundi Evian Championship and World’s Top Golfers

SEOUL, July 9, 2021 — LG Electronics (LG) announces the start of its 10-day online charity auction STRONGER TOGETHER to benefit Sur les bancs de l’école, a French organization that supports families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The auction highlights LG SIGNATURE’s partnership with the Amundi Evian Championship 2021, one of the most renowned major tournaments in women’s golf played at the Evian Resort Golf Club in France.

In addition to benefiting a worthy cause, the auction will provide fans the opportunity to interact virtually with two of the biggest names in women’s golf. All proceeds from the auction will be donated to Sur les bancs de l’école, which was founded in 2008 and currently supports 200 families daily. The pandemic and studying at home affected autistic students especially hard and LG is proud to support the work of the organization as it helps affected families begin the long journey back to normal life.

Running until July 18 at 14:59 (GMT), the STRONGER TOGETHER charity auction will feature top female golfers Ko Jin-young and Park Sung-hyun of South Korea, who LG has sponsored since 2020 and 2016, respectively. Golf fans can participate in the auction and bid on exclusive items, highlighted by the Amundi Evian Championship Package featuring LG SIGNATURE OLED R, the world’s only rollable TV complete with custom engraving option and a fabric speaker covering available in four exclusive colors, and three tickets to the Pro-Am event during next year’s the Amundi Evian Championship. LG SIGNATURE Refrigerator and LG SIGNATURE Wine Cellar will also be auctioned off during the 10-day event.

Also available for bid are items donated by defending champion Ko who is donating her Epic Flash Driver used in 2020 after the pandemic hiatus while Park is donating autographed shirts and gloves. All auction items will be framed, authenticated and ready for winners to display as enviable additions to any golf aficionado’s collection.

“Like the very best in women’s golf, LG SIGNATURE products are known for delivering unparalleled performance,” said Lee Jeong-seok, head of LG Electronics’ Global Marketing Center. “Run in partnership with the Amundi Evian Championship, the STRONGER TOGETHER charity auction will bring fans closer to some of the game’s brightest stars but more importantly, help support the important work of Sur les bancs de l’école.”

More information can be found at LG SIGNATURE.com and official Instagram and Facebook accounts.

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LG Elevates Its Digital Transformation With Opening of New Cloud Call Center

Delivering Efficient, Responsive Cloud-based Customer Service
Solution With the Help of Amazon Connect and Genesys Cloud

SEOUL, July 8, 2021 — LG Electronics (LG) announced the opening of its new Cloud Call Center in the United States, elevating the company’s rapid digital transformation while further improving the quality and efficiency of its customer service. Following North America, LG plans to open Cloud Call Centers in a dozen additional countries including Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Italy and Vietnam this year and in its home market of South Korea in early 2022.

Implementation of the cloud-based system will create a better customer experience and more positive outcome. The system allows LG’s customer service representatives to work collaboratively and effectively from different locations, eliminating the need to be in the same physical space, reducing the likelihood of a quarantine situation. And with new speech to text (STT) capability that quickly and accurately converts voice calls into written text, customer service representatives can easily and quickly research and respond to reoccurring issues and repeat questions.

If there is a backlog due to a high call volume, the Cloud Call Center suggests an alternative faster option, such as “talking” to a chatbot on LG’s customer service site or another social media platform. An accurate estimate of the wait time will be available in the near future. The system is powered by either Amazon Connect or Genesys Cloud.

“LG’s new Cloud Call Center actively upgrades and refines our service delivery and helps us to ensure the best possible customer outcomes,” said Yoo Kyu-moon, executive director of the Customer Service Management Center at LG Electronics. “With more helpful options to choose from, LG customers can receive the support they need in the way they prefer to receive it.”

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LG Releases Preliminary Earnings for Second-Quarter 2021

SEOUL, July 7, 2021 — LG Electronics Inc. (LG) today announced its preliminary earnings results for the second quarter of 2021.

LG reported tentative consolidated revenues of KRW 17.1 trillion, an increase of 48.4 percent from the same quarter the previous year and the highest quarterly revenue in the company’s history. Operating profit of KRW 1.1 trillion is expected to be 65.5 percent higher than the second quarter a year ago.

With the official closure of the LG Mobile Communications Company at the end of the month, the unit’s earnings will not be reflected in this quarter’s earnings report and will be treated as discontinued operating losses. Earnings for the first quarter of 2021 will also be adjusted to reflect this change, to KRW 17.8 trillion in revenues and KRW 1.8 trillion in operating profit.

These figures are the tentative consolidated earnings based on K-IFRS provided as a service to investors prior to LG Electronics’ final earnings results including net profit. Details regarding each division will be announced officially later this month.

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Experiencing Indoor Environmental Comfort Without Actually Being There

Is it possible to experience “comfort” virtually?

That’s what LG’s Home Appliance & Air Solution Company hopes with the opening of its new online showroom, LG HVAC Virtual Experience. Utilizing the latest in digital technology, this interactive online showroom lets visitors get to know LG’s diverse range of residential and commercial indoor environmental solutions from the comfort and safety of their homes.

The showroom delivers an intuitive, virtual experience that lets visitors view the company’s latest solutions in a variety of virtual environments to learn about the benefits they provide, such as greater comfort, improved indoor air quality and seamless control, all important in helping customers make informed and important decisions for the family or employees.

Upon entering LG HVAC Virtual Experience, visitors can choose from a range of business and living space categories: Residential Apartment, Residential Villa, Office General, Office High-Rise, Retail and Hotel. Customers can roam the 3D environments freely using their mouse or touchscreen. Menus offer additional information on every model, including specifications, features, product videos and case studies. Simple to use and navigate, LG’s new virtual platform is a great tool for consumers, industry professionals and partners looking to create healthier and more comfortable indoor spaces.

What’s more, the virtual showroom allows visitors to see the behind-the-scenes details and technologies. Press the onscreen Airflow and Piping buttons to see how air travels in an air conditioner or air purifier and how pipes direct water and refrigerant through a system. Virtually switch operational modes and observe how airflow changes from one air conditioner to another. Beyond the technology and science, the showroom is also a great place to check out all the products’ stylish designs to see how they match various virtual interiors.

LG HVAC Virtual Experience is an open, engaging online resource that will give visitors a thorough understanding of LG’s latest, optimized HVAC solutions for all kinds of spaces, helping them figure out which products are best suited to their specific needs. Visit LG Virtual HVAC Experience to discover the company’s latest indoor environmental comfort technologies on your PC or smartphone.

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What’s More Brazilian Than Futebol?

A group photo of São Paulo FC’s players and coaches after winning the 2021 Paulista Championship final

Sports have always been a way to bring people together from around the world. And when it comes to soccer, saying that it is more than just a sport is an understatement in Brazil, which is often referred to as ‘o País do Futebol’ – the country of football.

Understanding the value of soccer to connect with Brazilians, LG in Brazil is proud to again partner with São Paulo Futebol Clube (SPFC), continuing a nearly decade-long relationship. From 2001 to 2010, LG Brazil was the main jersey sponsor of the São Paulo team and the two organizations rekindled their partnership in time for the Paulista Championship final in May on its home pitch, Morumbi Stadium.

The partnership with LG was a trophy-laden period for the club, with São Paulo winning important national and international football titles such as the World Championship and the Copa Libertadores da América in 2005. The club went on to becoming the champion of Brasileirão for three consecutive years from 2006 to 2008, in addition to victories in the 2002 Super Championship and the 2005 Paulista Championship.

The return of the LG logo on the SPFC jersey sparked nostalgia among fans, generating phenomenon buzz online with more than 60,000 organic reactions. On social media, LG supported the team along with its fans with more than 18,000 impressions on LinkedIn. In addition, the brand has attracted more than 70,000 new followers across its various social media pages, including Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Also, the fan-created hashtag #ficaLG for “stay LG” had more than three thousand mentions and became a trending topic on Twitter Brazil.

Fans were not the only ones excited about the reunion of LG Brazil and SPFC. Players were also happy to be reunited, especially before such an important match. The club claimed a 2-0 victory, bringing back its first Paulista title since 2005 and proving once again that this partnership is truly a match made in heaven.

LG and the São Paulo club have a very successful history, which is still remembered fondly by LG fans. And it’s with that faith in sportsmanship that LG will continue to support the teams and players to make everyone’s life better in Brazil.

Contributed by LG Brazil

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Perfect Screens for Contemporary Art

“Terraferma” by María Leyba and Mikaela Martínez displayed on LG OLED TV with decorative cubes and neon lighting surrounding the exhibit

Today’s technology has influenced all aspects of the art process, from its creation to appreciation. For a work of art to be appreciated, it must impeccably present the exact color or effect the creator intended in order to evoke the desired emotion in viewers.

Unifying artistic talent and cutting-edge technologies, LG in Spain and Madrid’s University School of Design Innovation and Technology (ESNE) recently opened a space for artists at the school to bring digital creations to life. From June 11 to 18, gifted young artists who graduated from ESNE were given the opportunity to showcase their avant-garde artwork on LG’s 2021 TVs at the first Digital Art Museum.

After month of online-only living, LG Spain and ESNE partnered to open a live art gallery with LG TVs to provide art lovers with a better way to enjoy the university’s best works in person on LG’s state-of-art TVs. And being one of the first offline events in Spain, LG and ESNE implemented the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of visitors including temperature checks and setting a limit on the number of guests.

“Terraferma” by María Leyba and Mikaela Martínez was created to raise awareness of the need for clothing sustainability in today’s fashion world.

Every artwork displayed on LG TVs were rigorously selected by LG and ESNE based on their artistic value and how they harmonized with the unique features of LG’s pioneering TV technology. LG OLED evo, LG OLED, LG QNED Mini LED and LG NanoCell TVs were employed to display the students’ artwork in maximum detail and accuracy, which they handled with ease thanks to their ability to handle pure blacks, smooth dynamics, high contrast ratio and bright colors.

“Deux” by Miguel Checa is a short film about discovering the limits of the universe.

LG OLED TVs were specifically chosen for their ability to retain the artist’s originality through perfectly accurate colors. Every LG OLED TV displays perfect black and has been certified for 100 percent color fidelity from global product testing agency Intertek.

New for 2021, LG OLED evo delivers even clearer and brighter image quality thanks to its upgraded image processing technology and next-generation TV panel with increased efficiency. On top of its exceptional picture quality, the 65-inch LG OLED evo features LG’s breathtaking Gallery Design with its 20mm slim bezels, setting a new standard in displays.

“Fission Fantasy” by Alberto Luango is a colorful trip that pays tribute to different music genres.

What’s more, the room’s aesthetic was complemented with the excellent use of vivid neon lighting which gave the art space a more futuristic look and feel, the well-matched backdrop to express LG’s newest OLED TV lineup.

“Ánima” by Fátima Tamayo, a dark-inked film about the challenges of growing old.

LG TVs have long been recognized in Spain for their outstanding visual performance. LG OLED TVs overwhelmed the competition by occupying the top 10 spots in a ranking of the best TVs by Spanish magazine OCU Compra Maestra which also gave LG OLED evo the highest score among 142 TV models, awarding it the title Mejor Del Análisis or Best of Analysis.

LG has for long been a proponent of the melding of art and technology, evident in the sleek designs of its consumer electronics and appliances. The opportunity to participate in a project that shares this belief with tomorrow’s visionaries was meaningful to both LG and the young artists involved.

Contributed by LG Spain

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Now Rolling Out Worldwide, LG QNED Mini LED TV Sets New Standard for LCD Picture Quality

New TVs Boast Exclusive Quantum Dot NanoCell Color Technology for
Authentic Color Reproduction and Maximum Viewer Immersion

SEOUL, June 30, 2021 — LG Electronics (LG) will begin rolling out its newest and most premium LCD TV lineup in markets worldwide starting in July. Thanks to LG’s state-of-the-art Quantum Dot NanoCell color and Mini LED backlight technologies, the 2021 TVs deliver a stunning viewing experience with deeper blacks, more accurate color reproduction with greater contrast and brightness.¹ The lineup consists of 8K QNED99 and QNED95 series models along with 4K QNED90 series models in screen sizes ranging from a spacious 65 inches to a colossal 86 inches.²

Featuring the company’s very own Quantum Dot NanoCell color technology, LG QNED Mini LED ushers in a whole new era in LCD TV picture quality with rich and accurate colors for immersive viewing. Certified by international product testing agency Intertek for providing 100 percent color volume and color consistency, LG QNED Mini LED TVs also eliminate color distortion across a wide viewing angle, ensuring everyone in the room can enjoy the ultimate in LCD picture quality.³

The bigger the screen, the smaller the details need to be. LG QNED Mini LED TV packs smaller LEDs into the backlight compared to other similarly-sized TV screens, increasing brightness and dimming zones. For example, LG’s 86-inch 8K TV (model 86QNED99UPA) is backlit by approximately 30,000 LED lights arranged to create about 2,500 local dimming zones to deliver 10 times better contrast ratio than conventional LCD TVs. Deeper blacks and greater details within dark areas create a heightened sense of depth that makes images seem more realistic.

LG’s commitment to a better tomorrow is evident in its newest TV products. LG QNED Mini LED TVs have received Eco-Product certification from SGS Société Générale de Surveillance SA of Switzerland. This certification is only awarded to products that fulfill SGS requirements to standards that include low environmental impact or recyclability.⁴

“LG QNED Mini LED TV represents an evolutionary leap forward, leveraging LG’s unique color reproduction technology and mini LED backlighting to achieve the pinnacle of LCD picture quality,” said Park Hyoung-sei, president of the LG Home Entertainment Company. “Our newest lineup is testament to LG’s technological leadership in the premium TV market made possible by continuously improving and refining our innovative OLED and QNED Mini LED TVs.”

LG QNED Mini LED TV will initially be available in North America followed by additional regions around the world in the weeks ahead.

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¹Measured against LG UHD TVs which do not employ NanoCell technology.² Availability of sizes may vary by market.
³Certified by Intertek, LG’s QNED Mini LED TVs deliver a high color consistency recorded as 100 percent by CIE DE2000 across 18 color patterns with a viewing angle of ±30°. Certified by Intertek, LG’s QNED Mini LED TVs can express 100 percent of the DCI-P3 spectrum across a 3D color space that covers the TVs’ full luminance range.
⁴QNED Mini LED TVs are recognized as Eco-Products according to SGS Eco-Product certification ECO/21/CEBEC/00016 and ECO/21/CEBEC/00017.

Gaming on LG Premium TVs Reach New Heights With Latest Dolby Vision Update

A gamer being completely immersed in a video game at home thanks to LG OLED TV’s Dolby Vision at 4K 120Hz

LG OLED TVs Offer Next-level Enjoyment as First with
Dolby Vision for Gaming at 4K 120Hz Capability

SEOUL, June 29, 2021 — LG Electronics (LG) is proud to announce that it is the first TV manufacturer to offer the ability to support coveted Dolby Vision^® HDR at 4K 120Hz for gaming on compatible platforms, reaffirming its commitment to providing the best big-screen gaming experience. With enhanced gaming capabilities and convenient, user-friendly controls, LG’s premium TVs are ready to deliver sublime next-gen gaming experiences.

Firmware version 03.15.27, now rolling out, makes LG’s C1 and G1 series OLED TVs the first in the world capable of supporting incredible Dolby Vision^® HDR at 4K 120Hz on compatible platforms. Additional premium models in LG’s 2021 TV lineup such as OLED Z1 series, QNED Mini LED QNED99 series and NanoCell NANO99 series TVs will also receive the update in July. Additional 2021 and 2020 TV models are also being tested for Dolby Vision gaming in either 60Hz or 120Hz.

The firmware introduces another new feature to elevate the gaming experience to a new level of convenience. Available on all 2021 LG TVs equipped with Game Optimizer, Game Dashboard is a floating onscreen menu similar to the head-up display (HUD) found in many games. The feature lets users quickly see the TV’s settings and allows them to switch between different genres – Standard, FPS, RPG or RTS – without pausing the action. The dashboard also shows the status of other modes such as black stabilizer, low latency and variable refresh rate (VRR) are activated. To access more options, users can launch the Game Optimizer directly from the Game Dashboard.

Recognized as the best TVs for gaming by trusted publications and avid gamers world over, LG OLED TVs boast features that make games of any genre look incredibly smooth and play fast. With minimal lag, LG TVs deliver amazing gameplay with a level of responsiveness that can help users climb to the top of the leaderboards in their favorite next-gen console and PC challenges.

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Video Calling From the Couch With Support for Portal TV From Facebook

A TV screen displaying various apps and the icon confirming a successful connection with Portal TV

Video calling from the couch is coming to LG TV owners thanks to a firmware upgrade that optimizes the interface on LG TVs to access Portal TV from Facebook.^* Rolling out worldwide on LG Smart TVs with webOS version 6.0, the firmware offers more convenience for LG TV owners when connecting and using Portal TV to keep in close contact with family, friends, even coworkers.

LG TV users will benefit from Portal TV’s smooth integration that includes extremely easy setup and LG Magic Remote compatibility. Initial setup is hassle-free, requiring only plugging the Portal TV HDMI cable into the LG Smart TV. The Portal TV device will be detected immediately and display a pop-up notice on the screen, providing quick access from the webOS home screen or Home Dashboard. Video call functionality can be controlled directly from the LG Magic Remote, its four-directional keys acting as command keys allowing users to control it similarly as the dedicated Portal TV remote control.

Photo Credit: Portal

Once connected, users can make video calls to family and friends on Messenger and WhatsApp. Portal TV also supports Messenger Rooms, as well as Zoom, Workplace and GoToMeeting, which are useful when working from home. Portal TV also features Story Time, which brings stories to life during video calls with animations, music and AR effects.

Photo Credit: Portal

Portal’s Smart Camera automatically pans and zooms so users can talk and move freely. Smart Camera widens the view automatically when a new participant steps into the frame. Smart Sound enhances the speaker’s voice during video calls while minimizing background noise.

Portal was created with privacy, safety and security in mind with clear and simple settings, so users stay in control. When not in use, LG TV owners can disable the camera and microphone on Portal with the sliding switch. A red light on the front of Portal TV indicates when the microphone and camera are turned off. Users can also use the included camera cover to block Portal TV’s camera when not in use.

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^* Portal TV from Facebook is a separate purchase from LG TV.

[LG SIGNATURE Inspirations] Magical Moments at Rheingau Musik Festival

An orchestra performing at the Kurhaus during the Rheingau Musik Festival.

Music has a unique power to lift spirits and improve moods and that influence is strongest when performers and audiences come together in person. So it’s no surprise that fans of classical and jazz music in Germany were excited by the return of the annual Rheingau Musik Festival, one of Europe’s largest and longest-running music festivals, after a year off. And LG is just as excited that its LG SIGNATURE premium brand will be sponsoring the 2021 iteration of the popular event, presenting three of the festival’s headline acts this year.

A showcase of the world’s top classical and jazz performers, the Rheingau Musik Festival is more than ready to entertain music loving attendees while keeping them safe. Running from June 26 to September 5 at 22 venues throughout the greater Rhine-Main region, the 34th edition of the festival boasts more than 190 live concerts and is expected to attract over 110,000 attendees. The German music festival hopes to bring joy and happiness to its attendees after many months of social distancing.

Along with the incredible talent on stage and the beautiful scenery of the Rhine-Main region – not to mention the delectable, local wines – festival-goers will also have the opportunity to experience LG SIGNATURE’s exquisitely designed products, which will be on display at select concert venues.

Before the conclusion of Rheingau Musik Festival 2021, the world’s largest 8K OLED TV as well as the beautiful and sleek LG SIGNATURE refrigerator and wine cellar, will have graced The Kurhaus Wiesbaden convention center in the spa town of Wiesbaden, Kloster Eberbach, a former Cistercian monastery established in 1136. Analogous to the world-class musicians that the famed German event attracts every year, the LG’s premium lifestyle brand aspires to demonstrate its dedication to artistry, precision and first-class performance.

Three noteworthy virtuosos performing at this year’s festival embody LG SIGNATURE’s philosophy and commitment to excellence: South Korean violinist Bomsori Kim, Georgian pianist Khatia Buniatishvili and Spanish violoncellist Pablo Ferrández. LG is proud to introduce to the festival audience this trio of critically-acclaimed artists, each of whom has a well-earned reputation for captivating audiences with their brilliant musicianship, passion and inimitable style.

Recognized for seamlessly blending art and technology in its products and supporting the best in art and culture, LG SIGNATURE continues to embrace and support art and culture worldwide. LG SIGNATURE is honored to be partnered with renowned cultural institutions including the American Ballet Theater, Russia’s Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts and the La Scala opera house in Milan, Italy and was recently named international corporate partner of London’s famed Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

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[AI Experience] The Next Step in the Evolution of Human-Machine Interaction

An illustration of a man being influenced by artificial intelligence with images representing contextual understanding regarding AI.

In the fifth episode of the AI Experience series, we look closer at the importance of contextual understanding in the advancement of AI. For more on this topic, visit www.AIXexchange.com. Developers and potential partners interested in LG’s ThinQ Platform should check out thinq.developer.lge.com.

From AI speaker that recommend movie and TV shows matched to our personal tastes, AI is helping to make daily life more convenient in numerous ways. But we’ve all had that experience when Siri or Alexa responds with the wrong information or doesn’t understand the question. For AI to improve, it needs to better understand context.

“These limitations have inspired the call for a new phase of AI, which will create a more collaborative partnership between humans and machines,” said David Foster, head of Lyft Transit, Bikes and Scooters. “Contextual AI is technology embedded, understands human context and is capable of interacting with humans.”

When the “Age of Contextual AI” arrives, human-AI relationship will take a giant leap forward. Machines and services that can understand context in terms of physical space, the end user’s personality and style of communication – as well as myriad other factors that we take for granted, but are central to our ability to comprehend how society and personal interactions work – will become more like partners and more integrated than ever into the way we live.

Let’s take a look at five different areas that, if successfully navigated, will go a long way toward ensuring that the concept of contextual AI comes to its full fruition.

Spaces

Different kinds of spaces come with different sets of rules – some written and some unwritten. Based on those rules, we might dress and act in a certain way and also interpret what someone is saying, or what is going on around us, through a space-specific lens. One could argue that the pandemic has made environmental context even more difficult to discern for AI, with our homes now doubling as offices, classrooms, gyms, movie theaters, etc. This shift raises the importance of creating AI that can not only partially determine meaning or motive through reference to the specific type of space, but also from the nature of the interactions taking place within that space.

“We have to assume that AI is going to operate in a heterogeneous world with a lot of non AI-friendly consumers and devices or vehicles,” said Foster. “So the ability to be adaptive, predictive and context-aware is going to be key.”

When AI systems designed for different spaces and areas of our lives eventually converge, there will be serious implications around the exchange of personal data, including the way it is shared, when it is shared and for what purpose. To prevent or reduce risk, it is crucial to include end users in the development process, and to have both developers and policymakers work collaboratively to consider and uncover as many of the consequences as possible of a more integrated and contextually-aware AI network.

Values

With any new technology comes new moral considerations. Given the speed at which AI is developing, it is challenging for humans to evaluate whether each action is being performed in a responsible or ethical manner. Therefore, the task of imbuing AI with a set of values that informs its behavior has become particularly pressing.

While it is ultimately the developers who will ensure that core human values are built into AI systems, the task of choosing what those values are should be not be the domain of any one group. A broad collective that encompasses the full diversity of the modern human experience should be enlisted for this task, as this will help to establish a value set that is more representative of society as a whole and not geared to the interests or beliefs of any single segment.

Purpose

To engineer an AI that understands context, including distinctly human principles and patterns of behavior, demands the collection and analysis of significantly more user data. Increasing concerns around privacy in the digital age will undoubtedly result in users opting out of providing potentially sensitive personal information, which will unfortunately hinder AI from reaching its full potential, and individual AI solutions from rendering full value.

By transparently declaring and detailing the purpose and need for the collection of each data point, companies developing AI can help foster trust in their technologies and in their ethics as a business. If users can see the need for granting access to certain data and a clear benefit from doing so – such as the collection of home appliance usage data to help them achieve a greener, more cost-effective household – they will be more likely to share that information and to perceive the company as an ally in helping them reach their goals.

Creativity

AI is already being used in the creative sphere in a variety of interesting ways, from helping to write pop ballads to suggesting creative ideas in filmmaking when IBM’s AI platform, Watson, created the first-ever AI-made movie trailer for 20th Century Fox’s horror film, Morgan.^* While such usages represent considerable advancements in AI’s capabilities, experts question the extent to which the technology can develop its own sense of creativity.

“You can give AI a bunch of training data that says, ‘I consider this beautiful. I don’t consider this beautiful,’” says Arvind Krishna, senior vice president of hybrid cloud and director of IBM Research. “Now, if you ask it to create something beautiful from scratch, I think that’s certainly a more distant and challenging frontier.”

However, the idea that AI will one day be able to develop its own sense of creativity is essential to the unlocking of its full potential – specifically, the ability to go beyond the input data to develop new ideas and come to new contextual understandings that will enrich our lives and allow us to accelerate towards a brighter future.

Personality

Non-verbal cues such as a speaker’s facial expressions, tone of voice and body language play an important role in interpersonal communication and are factors that AI will need to be able to recognize if it is to provide better, more advanced services. However, because non-verbal cues can differ from person to person, the challenge of designing AI systems that can perceive such differences and respond accordingly, is considerable.

With the development of contextual understanding, AI will become more natural to interact with and more reliable in its ability to provide the information – or perform the tasks – we require of it. As it learns to infer meaning from the situation and surroundings, and the communication style of the end user, artificial intelligence will come closer than ever to being a genuine partner to humankind.

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^* https://www.ibm.com/watson/advantage-reports/future-of-artificial-intelligence/ai-creativity.html

Reinventing the B2B Experience in a New Landscape

Two men discussing LG ThinQ at The LG Business Solution Center during filming.

With Brazil still being devastated by COVID-19, businesses in the country are looking at the current situation not as a short-term change but a long-term direction. So instead of taking temporary steps to bide time until social distancing is lifted, the Brazil operation of LG Electronics took the step of opening a new facility that enables them to connect with customers while delivering an immersive experience with LG products without violating social distancing rules.

The LG Business Solutions Center (BSC) in the Barra Funda district on the west side of São Paulo was designed to provide an opportunity to interact with LG’s products in different commercial “zones” such as a Hotel, Hospital, Education, Retail, Meeting Room and Airport all from the safety and comfort of a private showroom. From commercial air conditions to digital signage to transparent OLED displays, the LG BSC is the one-stop location for all things B2B.

Covering 3,000 square meters, the LG Business Solution Center is thought to be the largest showroom of its kind in Latin America. The LG Business Solution Center also serves as a learning center with an area reserved for training repair staff air conditioning professionals with practical and theoretical instructions on how to repair residential and commercial units. The space can also be reserved for private workshops, seminars and presentations for customers, partners as well as employees.

But what really sets LG BSC apart from other showrooms is that the products interact with one another because many of LG’s B2B products are also smart and connectable. The showroom also features a space specially developed for the Connected Home utilizing LG ThinQ, the company’s smart devices brand with artificial intelligence.

“The LG Business Solution Center is one of our biggest projects in the country and is designed to drive the brand’s business with a broad portfolio and services ecosystem,” said Julio Baek, president of LG Electronics Brazil. “Investing in a space where our partners and consumers can experience our products and solutions reinforces LG’s focus on innovation and technology.”

Contributed by LG Brazil

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[Executive Corner] Advancing Digital Transformation Through the Cloud

Dr. Kim Dong-wook, head of the DTX Center, posing in front of an LG ThinQ Cloud diagram

For much of the last decade, digital transformation, also known as DX, has become a top business agenda for companies across all industries. But what exactly is digital transformation and why should consumers care? Hopefully after reading this, you’ll have a better idea of what DX is and why LG has made this a priority going forward.

In simplest terms, DX is an organization’s effort to accelerate its existing business model through the integration of advanced technologies. As a company centered around the concept of providing the best consumer electronics, appliances and services to make life better for everyone, LG Electronics is fully committed to digitizing its business model and modernizing its operations. This is why in 2019 we revamped our Cloud Center into the Digital Transformation Technology (DXT) Center to drive next-generation businesses such as big data, service platforms and LG ThinQ.

As one of the key drivers of our digital transformation, LG ThinQ is much more than an artificial intelligence interface for LG home appliances. LG’s AI solution seamlessly combines new technologies and machines across its wide range of offerings, such as smart TVs, refrigerators, air purifiers and even vacuum cleaners.

In 2018 alone, LG Electronics sold more than 70 million smart TVs and 5 million ThinQ-related home appliances across the world. While the popularity of these smart products was great news for LG, the sudden high level of activation were taking a toll on our servers and infrastructure. It was clear that LG had to fully digitalize, working closely with key partners to implement IoT solutions because although LG is proud of its strong manufacturing legacy, it was obvious that this transformation would require the know-how of different kinds of experts.

Since the launch of LG Cloud, LG experienced a dramatic change in two key areas: cost reduction and the way we work. To increase efficiency, we focused on creating a serverless cloud environment that didn’t require large server racks that took up valuable space or needed regular maintenance. We wanted a system which service providers could manage everything themselves while ensuring it ran safely and securely 24/7. What we ended up with was a system that enabled LG to save up to 80 percent on development costs.

Launching new services can be incredibly expensive and an organization’s development department would have to be certain that an investment was worth the money before committing. For businesses, the high initial costs of a new IT infrastructure project can kill an idea even before it gets off the ground.

The way in which our employees are working has also changed for the better. Being able to work from the cloud gives employees space to have discussions with product development teams from the very beginning of a project. This makes working together much easier, especially on projects that involve many moving parts.

Aligned with LG’s commitment to achieving a better life for all, the DTX Center will continue working tirelessly to implement even more new and innovative ways of working that bring more convenience to not only its consumers, but its valued employees as well.

By Dr. Kim Dong-wook, LG DTX Center Head

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LG Newsroom