LG Uplus has newly introduced a feature in its artificial intelligence (AI)-based emotional management platform "Dapda" that allows users to upload a photo along with their diary entry for the day. This new function reflects user feedback who wanted to vividly record their daily lives and seek empathy.
"Dapda" (Diary that receives replies) is a service where users write about their emotions in a diary, and AI analyzes it to send replies. Users can select one of more than 110 emotions and write a diary within 2,000 characters, after which they will receive a reply from their AI friend "Maringi" within 12 hours.
The number of users utilizing "Dapda" has rapidly increased since its launch in September 2023. As of January last year, there were about 13,000 subscribers, but by the end of January this year, that number had risen to over 80,000, a more than sixfold increase. Thanks to the surge in subscribers, the total number of diaries accumulated has surpassed approximately 490,000 and continues to grow steadily.
LG Uplus has pursued a new update in response to the increasing demand for the photo attachment feature from "Dapda" users. With this update, customers can record their emotions in a more dimensional way while writing diaries through "Dapda" and are expected to vividly recall the atmosphere and feelings of specific moments.
Customers who update the "Dapda" app can attach up to three photos per day along with their diary entries. Diary entries with attached photos can also receive replies from AI friend Maringi after 12 hours.
Since the introduction of the photo attachment feature, "Dapda" has seen positive effects such as new customer inflow and increased time spent on the app. After the feature was updated on the 31st of last month, approximately 6,000 customers utilized the feature within a week, and the time spent on the app increased by up to 27%, according to analyses.
LG Uplus also improved the user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) alongside the photo attachment feature. The app was updated to add banners that can quickly convey notices and event information, allowing customers to use the app more comfortably.
LG Uplus plans to experimentally introduce a chat function with AI characters, allowing "Dapda" customers to communicate instantly, and will continue to roll out updates to enhance user convenience, such as a dark mode.
An Mi-hwa, head of the Dapda service team at LG Uplus, noted, "After introducing the photo attachment feature to enrich customers' emotional recordings, the user response has been more positive than expected," adding, "We will continue to improve the service so that customers can easily and comfortably express their emotions and receive empathy."