[비즈한국] Kakao035720Talk is gearing up for a major AI-powered transformation. By integrating both its proprietary AI service, "Kanana," and OpenAI’s ChatGPT directly into the app, Kakao aims to create a next-generation AI environment capable of AI-powered searches, information assistance, and scheduling. All eyes are on whether this bold move will lead to user experience innovation and strengthened competitiveness.
ChatGPT Gets a "Standalone Tab," While Kanana Stays "Inside the Chat"
Following a massive overhaul last month—its first in 15 years—KakaoTalk is picking up the pace on introducing AI features alongside interface improvements. According to industry sources on the 27th, after rolling out updates for AI summarization, the emoji tab, and OpenChat on the previous day, Kakao plans to launch an update on the 28th that integrates ChatGPT into the app.
This is the result of a collaboration with OpenAI. Earlier this year, Kakao signed a strategic partnership with OpenAI, agreeing to utilize the latest AI technology APIs across key Kakao services, including KakaoTalk and Kanana. The model being applied to KakaoTalk is OpenAI’s latest, GPT-5.
After this update, users will be able to use ChatGPT directly within KakaoTalk without needing to connect to a separate app or webpage. It appears that ChatGPT usage will follow a tab-based selection method similar to the existing "Short Form" or "OpenChat" features. Currently, the "Now" tab in KakaoTalk features icons for "Short Form" and "OpenChat" side-by-side at the top. Tapping these icons switches the screen, allowing users to enjoy short-form content or participate in OpenChat communities. ChatGPT is also expected to be provided in a format that allows users to switch feeds as needed.
Kanana, the AI developed in-house by Kakao, has also been integrated into KakaoTalk, though it functions differently. While the ChatGPT feature acts like a standard mobile AI chatbot—answering questions, providing information, and generating data—Kanana is designed to proactively recognize and assist in moments of need within the context of KakaoTalk conversations and service usage.
The service is dubbed "Kanana in KakaoTalk." Kanana was first unveiled through a separate standalone app of the same name, which began beta testing in May. Following a new update on the 2nd for technical improvements and enhanced app usability, the service has been refined. A Kakao official explained, "Kanana in KakaoTalk is a different service from the standalone Kanana app. It focuses on context-based functions like chat summarization and schedule suggestions within the KakaoTalk app."
Kanana in KakaoTalk is an on-device AI service where all processing occurs locally on the user's device. Its hallmark is reading the context of a chat window to provide situation-specific suggestions. For instance, if a user mentions, "I need to get a health checkup before the year ends," Kanana recognizes the intent behind "health checkup" and offers follow-up support, such as recommending relevant locations or providing information.
Currently, the beta service is available only to pre-registered users with supported devices (iPhone 14 Pro or later), with plans for wider availability in the future.
What is the Competitiveness of Kakao's Dual-Track AI Strategy?
Whether Kakao’s dual AI strategy will succeed remains to be seen. OpenAI’s ChatGPT is an immediate solution for achieving global-standard generative AI performance. For Kakao, the advantage lies in rapidly adopting external technology to boost the competitiveness of its AI-powered messaging app in a short period. Conversely, Kanana represents Kakao’s own AI brand and a pillar of its long-term strategy, functioning more like a "personal assistant AI" within the Kakao ecosystem.
ChatGPT is not directly linked to existing KakaoTalk functions. In contrast, Kanana serves as the heart of Kakao’s internal AI branding; it is expected that various features within KakaoTalk will eventually be consolidated under the Kanana brand. It is already designed to connect with services like "Gift" and "Reservations." The update on the 26th included an AI summary feature for chats with five or more unread messages, specifically labeled as "Kanana Chat Summary."
However, since messengers are spaces for private communication, some users may find AI intervention intrusive. Because the system involves AI inferring intentions and suggesting actions based on dialogue, concerns regarding privacy and security could arise.
Kakao emphasizes that the service is based on on-device AI, meaning conversation context is processed locally on the user's terminal and is not stored on servers. The company explains, "By running AI on the smartphone, we protect user conversations securely. Furthermore, by utilizing our proprietary AI model, 'Kakao Nano,' we can provide high-quality, safe, and lightweight services with superior Korean language understanding."
Earlier last month, at the "if kakao" conference, Kakao CEO Chung Shin-a addressed security concerns regarding AI integration, stating, "Kakao's data is not provided for ChatGPT training. All Kanana AI models are internalized with our own technology, and data from chats or calls used in AI functions are not stored separately or used for training purposes."
Another variable is the backlash KakaoTalk has faced since last month’s major update, including user frustration over the "Friends Tab" and calls for its restoration. With public sentiment still resistant to new design and functional changes, this AI integration serves as a new litmus test for restoring user trust. It remains to be seen whether this AI introduction will be viewed as an innovation or yet another source of "feature fatigue" while UI-related grievances persist.
Seo Yong-gu, a professor of business administration at Sookmyung Women's University, noted, "We are now in an era of 'discovery consumption' where AI suggests a user's needs before they even ask. Kakao has hopped onto the AI trend, but how much the market will actually embrace it remains to be seen."