Korea Telecom Unveils World's First AI-Powered 8K IPTV Set-Top Box

Korea Telecom Launches 8K IPTV With On-Device AI

Partnership with Microsoft to introduce an AI agent for seamless information retrieval. Korea Telecom (KT) has unveiled what it claims is the world's first IPTV set-top box supporting 8K resolution with on-device AI. To provide customers with a more vivid and immersive personalised viewing experience, KT introduced the latest AI technology in the "Genie TV Set-Top Box 4," allowing for automatic adjustments to TV picture quality, screen brightness, and sound to create an immersive viewing environment. Also Read: Apple Launches First Set of Intelligence Features for iPhone, iPad, and Mac Users KT said it installed an 8K (7680x4320, 33 million pixels) UHD chipset in the IPTV set-top box, offering an optimal experience by quickly optimising image quality and sound through a CPU with 50 percent improved performance and an AI-only processor (NPU, neural network processing device), which learns from customer viewing data. Additionally, through on-device AI-based 8K upscaling technology, existing Full HD and 4K content can be enjoyed in ultra-high quality, including real-time broadcasts, OTT content, and YouTube. KT added that even if users do not have an 8K TV, AI image quality optimisation technology can achieve the best image quality according to the TV's specifications. Also Read: SK Telecom Launches AI Cloud Manager to Maximise GPU Usage KT also installed a light sensor, four microphones, Android TV OS 14, and Dolby Atmos on the Genie TV Set-Top Box 4 to enhance the viewing environment. This technology detects the surrounding environment and automatically adjusts the screen brightness and volume, it said. For example, the Genie TV Set-Top Box 4 brightens the TV screen in bright surroundings and dims it in darker conditions. If there is noise, such as from a washing machine or vacuum cleaner, the box will increase the TV's volume. It provides optimised sound according to content genres -- such as movies, dramas, news, music, games, and sports -- while the "voice emphasis" function ensures that dialogue can be heard more clearly. Furthermore, KT claims it is the first to install an illumination sensor on a set-top box and also provides a storage detection function. The Genie TV Set-Top Box 4 learns the customer's media usage patterns and automatically turns on the TV when a person approaches during peak usage times, offering immediate viewing convenience. Also Read: SK Telecom and Samsung Leverage AI to Optimise 5G Base Station Quality In partnership with Microsoft, KT will introduce an AI agent specialised for Genie TV to help users quickly access the information they need through natural conversations while watching TV. Kim Hoon-bae, executive director of the KT Media Platform Business Division, said, "KT will evolve the IPTV set-top box into an 'AI hub' that connects customers and AI." He added, "In the future, in cooperation with global tech giants, we aim to elevate the media experience for the Korean people to a global standard." KT has innovated the overall media operation process, from original content investment to processing, production, and monitoring, achieving significant results in AI conversion (AX). The company said it operates the entire process efficiently by utilising technologies such as AI-based box office prediction, a magic platform, AI object books, AI travel views, and Genie, until the content is delivered to IPTV.

World's first AI-powered 8K IPTV set-top box

SEOUL (ANN/KOREA HERALD) - South Korean telecom giant KT Corp. on Tuesday introduced the world's first IPTV set-top box featuring built-in artificial intelligence (AI) and 8K resolution capabilities, marking a significant leap in digital home entertainment technology. The newly launched "Genie TV Set-Top Box 4" is the first of its kind worldwide, equipped with an 8K UHD chipset that delivers visuals with four times the resolution of 4K UHD and 16 times that of standard full HD. Speaking at a press briefing in Seoul, Kim Hoon-bae, Executive Vice President of KT's media platform business, highlighted the device's advanced AI functionalities, stating, "With a 50 per cent boost in CPU performance and a dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU), it optimises both image and audio quality, creating a highly personalised viewing experience based on user preferences." The set-top box is designed to enhance convenience and adaptability within smart home settings. It automatically adjusts screen brightness to improve viewing in any lighting condition, reducing the need for blackout curtains. The device also detects when users arrive home, automatically switching on the TV to display their preferred channels. Additionally, the Genie TV 4 offers optimised audio settings for various genres, including movies, dramas, sports, and music, and a voice emphasis feature that enhances dialogue clarity. For a more customised experience, users can access selective viewing features that allow them to locate scenes featuring their favorite actors or musicians. Notably, the device also provides a real-time AI sign language function during emergency broadcasts, enhancing accessibility. When idle, the AI background screen offers practical information such as weather updates and book recommendations. In smart home environments, the set-top box's "AI quick viewing mode" enables voice control of registered electronic devices, enhancing connectivity and ease of use within the home. The device's AI-powered 8K upscaling technology also ensures that content -- whether broadcast, over-the-top streaming, or YouTube -- can be viewed in ultra-high-definition, even if the original source is in lower resolutions like full HD or 4K. Looking ahead, Kim revealed that KT plans to further enhance Genie TV's capabilities with a powerful AI agent in 2025, following a strategic partnership with Microsoft established in September. "Our goal is to make the IPTV set-top box a central AI hub for seamless connectivity," Kim said, noting that future AI solutions will be developed in collaboration with Microsoft and other major tech partners.