Goover by Saltlux: Revolutionizing AI Search and Research

Since OpenAI launched ChatGPT on November 30, 2022, the world of generative AI has exploded. Tools like Claude, CoPilot, Perplexity, MidJourney, and Firefly have reshaped industries from writing and translation to coding and design.

With AI innovation surging, the question for individuals and businesses is clear: how can generative AI enhance personal competitiveness and organizational success?

“AI must solve real-world problems to create real value,” says Kyungil Lee, CEO of Saltlux, a leading generative AI company based in South Korea. Interview with TheMiilk during a visit to the U.S.,

Lee stressed that AI isn’t just a playground for experimentation. “AI literacy is about much more than using prompts or tools—it’s about defining clear problems and leveraging AI to solve them,” he explained.

AI Literacy: Problem-Solving in Practice

True AI literacy, according to Lee, starts with the ability to identify and articulate challenges. “Being able to ask specific questions and communicate those to an LLM (large language model) is critical,” he says. Lee points to SK Group’s AI disruption initiative as a model for applying AI to real-world challenges. “Their approach of defining practical problems and solving them with AI creates valuable use cases that others can learn from.”

The key, Lee believes, lies in accumulating problem-solving experience. “This process not only sharpens your understanding of AI but also maximizes its effectiveness,” he said.

A New Player in AI Search

Saltlux, under Lee’s leadership, is taking a step forward in the generative AI space with its latest offering, Goover, a search and research platform. Introduced in June through Saltlux’s U.S. subsidiary, the tool is designed to provide what Lee calls a 'Re-Search', combining traditional search with advanced AI insights. Available in both Korean and English, Goober’s service has also expanded to mobile platforms.

What sets Goover apart? According to Lee, it’s the combination of Saltlux’s proprietary LLM, called LUXIA, and its established expertise in vector search technology. Goover navigates multilingual web information and even paid subscription services, presenting users with precise answers and trustworthy sources.

“In our own tests, Goober achieved a 98% accuracy rate and a 97% recency rate in Korean search queries,” Lee said, noting that its performance rivals that of ChatGPT and surpasses Perplexity in some areas. Beyond search, Goover offers features like auto-generated reports and personalized content recommendations, aligning with the growing demand for hyper-personalized digital experiences.

The Future of Generative AI

During a visit to Goover’s Silicon Valley HQ, Lee reflected on the future of the AI industry. While generative AI tools continue to evolve at breakneck speed, the Saltlux CEO emphasized that their ultimate success will hinge on how effectively they address real-world challenges.

“AI tools are no longer just helpful—they’re becoming essential,” Lee said. “The organizations and individuals who can combine problem-solving skills with AI capabilities will lead in this era of disruption.”

As companies like Saltlux push the boundaries of what generative AI can achieve, the challenge for users is clear: to harness these tools not just for exploration but for meaningful impact. Whether through search, personalization, or industry-specific applications, AI’s transformative potential is only beginning to unfold.

The following is the full interview between TheMiilk reporter Wonik Park and Saltlux Guber CEO Kyungil Lee.

Park Wonick(The Miilk): Saltlux recently launched the preview version of Goo er, positioning it as a 'Research agent' Can you explain what Goo er is and what sets it apart from other AI tools?

Kyungil Lee(Saltlux Goover): Of course. Goo er is more than just an AI search engine. it’s a research agent designed to make writing articles, crafting reports, and conducting in-depth research simpler and faster. The name 'Goover' comes from 'go over' emphasizing its role in reviewing and analyzing information. But what really makes Goo er unique is its ability to generate hyper-personalized content. It doesn’t just recommend existing content—it creates new content tailored to the individual user’s needs.

Park: How does Goover’s personalization work?

Lee: When people think of personalization, they typically imagine algorithms suggesting content based on past behavior. Goo er takes this concept further. Using search inputs, it generates reports, curates briefings, and creates content specifically designed for each user. It’s a completely new way of thinking about personalization.

Park : How does Goo er compare to established players like OpenAI's ChatGPT Search or Perplexity?

Lee : While Goover shares some similarities in its AI search capabilities, it’s a fundamentally different service. ChatGPT Search and Perplexity don’t offer features like automatic report generation or tailored briefings. Goover is built to go beyond answering questions. it creates actionable, customized insights.

Park : Let’s talk about technology. What gives Goover its competitive edge in the crowded AI market?

Lee : Goover utilizes advanced techniques like Reactive Augmented Generation (RAG), which allows it to integrate real-time information into its results. RAG is a significant leap forward because it combines large language models (LLMs) with up-to-date search data, improving both accuracy and relevance.

But it doesn’t stop there. Goover is particularly strong in graph RAG, vector embeddings, and vector search. These technologies significantly enhance the quality of search and the depth of analysis it provides.

Park : How has Saltlux’s experience influenced Goover’s development?

Lee: Saltlux is the market leader in enterprise B2B search in South Korea, with 35% of the market share, including public sector clients. Goover benefits from 20 years of expertise and our proprietary LLM, LUXIA. Our team consists of experts who’ve worked on AI and search technologies for over a decade. This foundation gave us the ability to launch Goover as a disruptive, differentiated service.

Park : Data is critical for AI development. How does Goover handle data acquisition and privacy?

Lee: Goover leverages three main sources. First, we inherited a massive amount of legacy data from Saltlux, accumulated over the last decade. Second, we use advanced web scraping technologies to access unindexed information—the kind you can’t find on standard search engines like Google or Naver. This capability is one reason we have clients like the National Intelligence Agency and the Department of Defense.

Finally, with user consent, we use data entered by our customers to improve learning algorithms. Importantly, this data is never shared with third parties and is strictly used for model improvement.

The Milk: With established players like Naver dominating the Korean market, how does Goover plan to compete?

Lee: Competition is inevitable, and we welcome it. History shows that big companies don’t always win. Naver itself was a startup during the dot-com boom and survived by being bold and experimental. Goover is taking a similar approach. For instance, our preview version already offers deep search answers not available in other free services. We’ve also launched a mobile app, and the response has been phenomenal—200,000 subscribers, including mobile users, in just a short time. We’re aiming for 1 million subscribers within six months.

Park : Goover is headquartered in Silicon Valley. Why focus on the U.S. and global markets from the start?

Lee: Silicon Valley is the epicenter of generative AI development. By being here, we’re positioning Goover to compete globally from day one. The Valley is also home to many venture capitalists who see the potential in Goover’s differentiated approach.

Park : What’s the ultimate vision for Goover?

Lee: Goover isn’t just about improving search—it’s about redefining how people access and create information. We’re building a platform that doesn’t just respond to queries but actively generates insights, empowering users in ways traditional tools can’t.

Park: Goover recently launched its preview version as a research agent. Can you explain what Goover is and how it’s evolving, particularly in terms of its report generation feature?

Lee: Goover is more than a search tool; it’s designed to help users write and generate reports with ease. Starting this December, every report created using Goover will be searchable on Google. We’re optimizing for SEO to ensure these reports gain visibility.

Think about social media—only a handful of people consistently write or post detailed content. Goover changes that dynamic by enabling more individuals to create structured, insightful reports effortlessly. These reports can then be distributed back to platforms like Google and Naver, amplifying their reach.

Unlike tools like ChatGPT Search or Perplexity, where information often disappears, Goover creates persistent content. Users can choose to make their reports public, and those reports can then be monetized through ads. We’re also planning to incentivize users who contribute public content.

Park: The conversation around sovereign AI(AI systems developed within a country using local data and infrastructure)is gaining traction. What’s your perspective on this trend, especially considering rising costs and reliance on global players like OpenAI?

Lee: Sovereign AI is critical. Companies like Naver and Saltlux must make substantial efforts in this field to ensure independence and competitiveness. Cost is a major factor here—Goover’s LLM operates at less than one-tenth of the cost of using OpenAI’s models.

That said, I believe a capable AI company cannot afford to focus solely on the domestic market. While sovereign AI has its role, language barriers become irrelevant as LLMs grow smarter. AI learns and improves across languages. That’s why Goover is competing in the U.S. market. Limiting ourselves to Korea would be a strategic misstep; the global market is where growth and sustainability lie.

Park: You’ve been a prominent advocate for AI technology in Korea, balancing technical expertise with clear communication to the public. How do you see the AI search and generative AI industry evolving by 2025?

Lee: According to Gartner’s ‘Hype Cycle’ report, it typically takes one to four years for generative AI to generate significant revenue. If we compare this to the early internet era, it took Naver about 10 years and Amazon around 13-14 years to become profitable.

For OpenAI, it’s been nine years since its founding. I believe they, and other AI companies, will push hard to achieve breakeven by 2025. We’ll see more companies transitioning from heavy R&D investment to focused monetization efforts. Big tech players like Microsoft, Google, and AWS will likely follow similar paths.

Additionally, we might witness new business models. Right now, many AI companies rely on paid APIs and subscriptions, but innovative revenue streams could emerge. For instance, Google revolutionized the internet economy with search keyword advertising—something entirely novel at the time.

Park: Beyond monetization, what advancements do you anticipate in the AI space?

Lee: There are a few areas poised for breakthroughs. (1) Predictive AI and Cognitive AI: These technologies will likely see major advancements, with applications such as autonomous driving being a prime example. (2) Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare: AI’s potential impact in these fields is immense. Consider the success of Google DeepMind’s AlphaFold model, which earned its creator, Demis Hassabis, a Nobel Prize in Chemistry. It’s a clear signal of AI’s transformative potential. (3) Collaboration Between AI Systems: AI agents will act as bridges between platforms, enabling new revenue models, such as earning fees through agent-based interactions. This aligns with Goover’s focus as a research agent.

Ultimately, we’ll see a growing divide between companies with access to rich data and those without. Data ownership will become a critical factor in defining success in the AI era.

Park: Thank you, Kyungil Lee, for your insights. Goover’s ambitious vision and your thoughts on sovereign AI and the industry’s future are inspiring.

Lee: Thank you. We’re excited to be at the forefront of AI’s evolution and look forward to shaping its impact on both individuals and industries.

Dr. Kyungil Lee is the founder and CEO of Saltlux, a leading AI and big data company in Korea.

He served as an adjunct professor at Inha University's Department of Information and Communication Engineering (2006) and Hanyang University's College of Engineering's Department of Computer Software (2017), and has served as vice president of the Intelligence and Information Industry Association, member of the 4th Industrial Revolution Committee, advisor to the Ministry of Strategy and Finance's Innovation Growth Promotion Planning Group, and member of the Public Data Strategy Committee. S

altlux has grown into a leading company in Korea in the field of AI and big data. Currently, it focuses on the development and commercialization of AI technology and provides solutions in various fields, especially conversational AI and AICC (Artificial Intelligence Customer Center).