Group Workshop 'One Kakao Summit' Held: CEOs from 16 Affiliates Gather
Slogan 'End to And'... Future Strategies Centered on AI Discussed
Chairwoman Jeong Si-ah: "We Must Not Miss the Newly Opened AI Innovation Window"
Kakao announced on the 19th that on the afternoon of the 18th, it held a management workshop called 'One Kakao Summit' at the Kakao AI Campus in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, with executives from major group companies gathered. During the meeting, future growth strategies and execution plans centered on the artificial intelligence (AI) business were discussed.
The One Kakao Summit is a forum newly established this year by Kakao Group to review major management issues and discuss key agendas. About 160 executives attended, including Chairman Jeong Si-ah, CEOs of 16 major affiliates such as Kakao, Kakao Games, Kakao Mobility, Kakao Bank, Kakao Entertainment, Kakao Pay, Kakao Piccoma, and the chairman of the CA Council.
Jung Shina, Chairperson of the Kakao CA Council, is speaking at the management workshop "One Kakao Summit" held on the afternoon of the 18th at the "Kakao AI Campus" in Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do. Photo by Kakao
The workshop was held under the slogan "End to And - A New 15 Years, Standing at the Starting Point Again." This slogan signifies the end of the mobile era and the beginning of a new AI era.
Chairman Jeong said in his keynote speech, "Fifteen years ago, Kakao entered the early stages of the mobile revolution and brought significant changes to people's daily lives," adding, "Over the next 15 years, we will once again change the landscape of life and open the door to a new future through AI."
Chairman Jeong explained the rapidly changing current management environment due to AI with the concept of an 'Innovation Window.' This refers to a temporary innovation opportunity that opens during an industrial paradigm shift.
He also presented three strategic directions for the group's AI popularization: ▲ an orchestration policy utilizing various language models such as the self-developed 'Kanana' and OpenAI's GPT ▲ an ecosystem vision connecting major group services like messaging, finance, and mobility through an agent platform ▲ and the construction of deep data that can comprehensively understand users' daily lives.
Chairman Jeong emphasized, "Since we must compete without borders against global big tech companies with limited resources, an 'let's just try' approach is risky," adding, "Clear direction setting based on high market understanding and efficient, speedy investment are essential." He stressed cautious yet bold leadership suitable for the AI era to the executives.
Following this, presentations by key group leaders continued. Kim Jae-yong, CEO of Kakao Piccoma, said, "Excluding the gaming sector, Piccoma is the seventh-largest app in the world in terms of revenue," explaining, "It was effective to clearly understand the characteristics of the world's largest Japanese manga market and timely provide a digital platform that meets customer needs."
Yoon Ho-young, CEO of Kakao Bank, shared the direction of new businesses combining AI and finance, while Ryu Geung-seon, CEO of Kakao Mobility, shared the direction of new businesses progressing under the theme of coexistence and mutual growth. A retrospective on Kakao's 15-year journey by Hwang Tae-seon, the general representative of the CA Council, and a presentation on KakaoTalk's growth strategy by Hong Min-taek, Kakao's Chief Product Officer (CPO), were also held.
Meanwhile, Kakao founder Kim Beom-su stepped down from his position as co-chairman of the CA Council, the control tower of Kakao Group, on the 13th. Accordingly, the Kakao CA Council has transitioned to a sole chairmanship under Jeong Si-ah. Founder Kim stepped down due to health issues requiring intensive treatment for the time being. However, Kim continues to serve as the head of the Future Initiative Center, responsible for establishing the group's vision and future strategies.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
