LG Unveils Plans for AI Model Rivaling OpenAI, Advances ‘AI One Team’ Vision at MWC 2026
Barcelona, Spain – March 2, 2026 – LG Group is making a significant push into the artificial intelligence arena, announcing plans to develop its proprietary AI foundation model, K-Exaone, to compete with industry leader OpenAI. The announcement was made at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026 in Barcelona, where LG outlined its “AI One Team” vision for becoming a dominant force in the global AI market.
LG AI Research unveiled the roadmap for K-Exaone, although LG Uplus detailed advancements in its voice-centric AI agent, ‘Ixio,’ and plans for expanding physical AI capabilities. The move underscores LG’s commitment to leveraging AI across its diverse business portfolio, from consumer electronics to telecommunications.
According to LG, K-Exaone, a large language model (LLM) with 236 billion parameters, has already achieved an intelligence index of 32 from Artificial Analysis, ranking it seventh among open-weight models globally. While LG acknowledges its current ranking, the company emphasizes the significance of reaching a level comparable to leading global models. The company aims to position K-Exaone as a global leader in AI technology.
“The decision highlights LG’s strategic focus on AI as a core growth engine,” said Im Woo-hyung, head of LG AI Research, during a press conference at MWC 2026. LG Group plans to leverage synergies across its various divisions to accelerate AI innovation.
LG Uplus is focusing on enhancing ‘Ixio,’ its voice-based AI agent, and expanding its applications in the realm of physical AI. The company aims to evolve into a leading provider of AI software solutions. The collaborative efforts of LG AI Research and LG Uplus are central to LG’s broader AI strategy.
The announcement comes as MWC 2026 places a strong emphasis on artificial intelligence, with numerous companies showcasing their latest AI-powered technologies and solutions. AI is a key theme at this year’s event, signaling its growing importance in the telecommunications and technology industries.
LG’s commitment to AI is further demonstrated by its participation in the South Korean government’s independent AI foundation model project. The company’s advancements in AI technology are expected to have a significant impact on its future competitiveness and growth prospects.
