Kakao has unveiled new technology designed to enhance user convenience in the era of AI agents. The company plans to strengthen its AI capabilities by leveraging the connectivity of its 50 million users as a competitive advantage.
Chung Shin-a, CEO of Kakao, said during an earnings announcement conference call on Thursday, "Even as AI technology and execution capabilities rapidly advance, I believe the relationship network formed over time through conversations among 50 million users is a powerful competitive advantage unique to Kakao that is difficult to acquire in the short term."
Kakao views the relationship network on KakaoTalk as having the potential to expand beyond human-to-human communication into communication and collaboration between AI agents. The company anticipates that once AI can understand conversational context and perform actual tasks, KakaoTalk could evolve into a space not only for communication between users and AI agents, but also for agents to cooperate with one another to handle tasks on behalf of users.
On the same day, Kakao introduced a new technology called "Canana Space." Canana Space is a new AI layer that users can access by lightly swiping with two fingers anywhere on KakaoTalk. Tasks that previously required users to manually find and navigate to specific features or services on their mobile screens to resolve various issues will now be handled through voice or text requests within the Space.
Kakao plans to integrate Canana Space with external services as well. User queries will be routed to ChatGPT for Kakao, Canana in KakaoTalk, or other services depending on complexity, which will then provide answers or execute requested actions. CEO Chung stated, "We will connect the fragmented AI features and services previously offered by individual applications into one, providing users with an integrated AI experience."
Kakao also unveiled "Canvas," an AI productivity tool. Unlike methods that operate a browser on a separate virtual computer, Canvas utilizes a local browser control approach that runs and controls the browser within the user's PC environment. Users can automate not only information search and data organization but also repetitive tasks through Canvas.
CEO Chung said, "Because Canvas integrates with KakaoTalk, users will be able to instruct agents on tasks from a familiar chat window and receive the results of those executed tasks." He added, "We aim to demonstrate the possibility that KakaoTalk can expand beyond a space for everyday communication into an execution point where AI performs various tasks and assignments on behalf of users."
In addition, Kakao unveiled "AI Crew," an AI agent designed to support advertisers in executing and managing their advertising campaigns. When advertisers input business goals through a conversational interface, the AI suggests suitable ad products and operational strategies, supporting the entire process from ad setup to performance analysis.
Kakao announced that it recorded consolidated revenue of 286.7 billion won and an operating profit of 240.3 billion won for the third quarter. Revenue increased by 6% year-on-year, while operating profit rose by 7%. Revenue from the platform segment was 1,235.0 billion won, and revenue from the content segment was 851.7 billion won. Revenue from other segments, including mobility and payments, totaled 602.1 billion won.
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