Kakao Joins AI Alliance as First Domestic Member... "Collaborating to Build Ecosystem"

Kakao announced on the 12th that it has become the first domestic company to join the global open-source community for artificial intelligence (AI) research and development support, 'AI Alliance.'

The AI Alliance includes organizations from industry, startups, academia, research institutions, and government, as well as companies such as IBM, Meta, and Intel. It was launched in December last year to support open innovation and open science in the global AI field.

The organization aims to support open innovation across the entire AI technology environment and foster cooperation to expand the AI ecosystem. It focuses particularly on improving AI safety, security, and trust, maximizing benefits for people and societies worldwide, and continues various projects and activities. The alliance is composed of a wide range of organizations active in AI education, research, development and deployment, governance, and about 100 members including Kakao have joined.

Through this membership, Kakao plans to ensure that domestic AI standards keep pace with global standards and to raise its voice so that domestic criteria are reflected in the establishment of global standards in AI education, safety, policy, and technical research. To this end, the recently established CAIO organization will systematically promote responsible AI initiatives.

Previously, Kakao took social responsibility by announcing the Algorithm Ethics Charter in 2018, becoming the first domestic company to establish algorithm ethics guidelines. In July 2022, it launched the industry's first 'Technology Ethics Committee,' continuously researching ways to develop technology together with society, including technology ethics inspections across its affiliates. At the end of last year, it also published the '2023 Kakao Community Technology Ethics Report,' which covers various activities of the committee.

In addition, Kakao operates the 'Human Rights and Technology Ethics Team,' an organization that analyzes international human rights norms and domestic and international human rights management policies and suggests directions for human rights-friendly management activities within the Kakao community.

Kim Kyunghoon, Kakao AI Safety Leader, said, "We will cooperate with the AI Alliance to build an open AI ecosystem with global-level trust and safety," adding, "As a digital company, we will continue to fulfill our social responsibilities and strengthen AI ethics."