▲ This image is provided by artificial intelligence audio company Supertone. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE)(Yonhap)

SEOUL, July 27 (Yonhap) -- Hybe will liquidate artificial intelligence audio company Supertone three years after acquiring the firm, according to industry sources Monday.

Supertone resolved to dissolve the company and appoint a liquidator to oversee the liquidation process at an extraordinary shareholders' meeting held on July 15, according to the sources.

Supertone is an AI audio technology company that developed voice synthesis technology capable of generating voices by combining various vocal characteristics. Its services include "Supertone Shift," which transforms a user's voice into that of a desired character, and "Supertone Air," which creates immersive spatial audio effects that simulate specific environments.

Hybe invested 4 billion won in Supertone in 2021 to acquire an 18.2 percent stake. It later invested an additional 45 billion won in 2023 to secure a majority stake and incorporate the company as a subsidiary.

Explaining the decision, Hybe said the liquidation was part of its AI business strategy.

"We explored various options to maintain the corporation, but concluded it would be difficult to continue operations and therefore decided to liquidate the company," the agency said.

Hybe said it will continue exploring collaborations involving AI and other technologies in line with rapidly evolving technology and industry trends. The company is understood to have concluded that partnering with companies possessing advanced AI technologies would be a more competitive strategy than developing such technologies in-house.

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