Kakao establishes Kana, an AI-focused organization, consolidating AI development efforts under one roof

  • Kakao establishes new AI organization named ‘Kana’, comprising ‘Kana Alpha’ for AI model development and ‘Kana X’ for AI services.
  • CEO Kim Byung-hak leads Kana Alpha, focusing on AI model development and overseeing Kakao’s AI strategy.
  • Lee Sang-ho appointed as Product Owner for Kana X, tasked with developing AI services for Kakao’s platforms.
  • Integration of Kakao Brain’s AI assets, including large language model and image generation model, enhances Kakao’s AI capabilities.
  • Kakao emphasizes user-centric AI services, leveraging both proprietary and external AI models.

Main AI News:

Kakao recently solidified its commitment to artificial intelligence (AI) advancement with the establishment of a dedicated AI-centric entity. Previously managed under Kakao Brain’s purview, AI development now falls under the reorganized structure of the newly formed organization.

Named ‘Kana,’ this AI organization comprises two primary divisions: ‘Kana Alpha’ and ‘Kana X.’ While Kana Alpha is dedicated to AI model development, Kana X focuses on delivering AI services.

Under the leadership of CEO Kim Byung-hak, Kakao Brain’s former CEO, Kana Alpha spearheads the development of AI models. CEO Kim, also designated as Kakao’s “Function Owner,” is instrumental in overseeing the evolution of AI model development within the company.

The recent integration of Kakao Brain’s extensive AI assets, including its large language model (LLM) and image generation model, further reinforces Kakao’s strategic positioning in the AI landscape. This move not only signifies Kakao’s dedication to advancing AI technology but also emphasizes its proactive stance in leveraging cutting-edge AI capabilities to enhance user experiences.

Meanwhile, Lee Sang-ho, the former Chief AI Officer (CAIO) of Kakao, assumes the role of “Product Owner (PO)” within Kana X. Tasked with steering the development of AI services tailored for Kakao’s diverse platforms, Lee’s appointment underscores Kakao’s commitment to integrating AI seamlessly into its ecosystem.

In a recent shareholder letter, Kakao’s CEO Jung Shin-ah highlighted the company’s strategic focus on user-centric AI services, leveraging the expertise of key personnel and proprietary AI models like CoGPT2.0. This strategic direction underscores Kakao’s commitment to not only developing its proprietary AI models but also harnessing external AI capabilities to enrich its service offerings.

Conclusion:

Kakao’s establishment of Kana signifies a strategic consolidation of its AI efforts, positioning the company for enhanced innovation and user-centric AI services. With a focused approach on developing proprietary AI models and leveraging external capabilities, Kakao is poised to strengthen its market position and offer cutting-edge AI solutions to its user base. This move underscores Kakao’s commitment to staying at the forefront of AI technology and delivering value-added services to its customers.

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