ESTsoft said on Tuesday it will launch a kiosk-style AI shopping assistant with CJ Olive Young. The companies will first introduce it at three stores that draw many foreign visitors: Dongdaemun History and Culture Park Station, Apgujeong Central and Ewha Central. The assistant is based on ESTsoft’s real-time conversational AI avatar service, Perso Interactive, and is tailored for retail and the K-beauty market. It supports eight languages and offers personalised recommendations.

Banks\' non-financial businesses such as delivery apps and budget mobile services are drawing attention as infrastructure for alternative credit scoring to support inclusive finance. The push reflects growing demand to assess small merchants, young workers and freelancers who lack sufficient financial transaction history. Shinhan Financial Group, KB Kookmin Bank and others are applying non-financial data such as orders, sales flows and telecom bill payments to broaden lending, while financial authorities discuss reforms to expand alternative credit evaluation.