Closed Beta Test for the Public on a First-Come, First-Served Basis... Invite KakaoTalk Friends
Assisting Users in Both Individual and Group Chat Rooms
Personal Mate 'Nana' and Group Mate 'Kana'
Kakao is launching a closed beta test (CBT) of its artificial intelligence (AI) service application 'Kanana' for the general public starting May 8, 2025. Users who download the app from Google Play or the Apple App Store can participate on a first-come, first-served basis according to the order of registration.
During the testing period, Kanana will collect user feedback and conduct regular updates approximately every three weeks to enhance its technology and service quality. Once the service reaches a certain level of completion, the official version will be released.
Kanana serves as an 'AI Mate' that assists users in both individual and group chat rooms. It understands the context of conversations exchanged by users and provides appropriate responses. While existing AI services typically function only in one-on-one conversations with users, Kanana is characterized by its ability to operate in group chats as well, thereby helping to form and strengthen relationships.
The Kanana service includes a personal mate called 'Nana' and a group mate called 'Kana.' 'Nana' is available in both individual and group chat rooms and remembers user information to provide personalized responses. By clicking 'Invite via KakaoTalk' on the Kanana home screen, users can invite their KakaoTalk friends. Once an invited friend installs the app and completes registration with a Kakao account, conversations can begin.
The group mate 'Kana' performs various functions in all group chats that users belong to, such as summarizing conversations for group projects, clubs, families, or acquaintances, and helping to organize meeting schedules and locations. In group chats, users can create rooms for various purposes such as small gatherings, self-development, study, or information exchange, and can register schedules.
For example, if a running club discusses an upcoming marathon event, Kanana will understand the conversation, register the schedule, and provide reminders. It can also recommend new running courses, and if users request notifications for the event schedule, Kanana will regularly share updates.
In group chats, users can also have one-on-one conversations with the personal mate Nana through a whisper mode. This allows users who join a group chat late to receive summaries of previous conversations or obtain additional information about ongoing discussions.
Kanana can be accessed using a Kakao account, and during the mate profile setup stage, users can specify the mate's tone and personality, such as 'friendly,' 'professional,' 'mood maker,' or 'adolescent.' Users can also directly input and set their preferred conversation style.
Kim Jonghan, Kanana Performance Leader at Kakao, stated, "Our goal is to make communication between people more natural and meaningful through AI," adding, "As this is a growth-oriented service that becomes more advanced the more users interact with it, we will actively incorporate all kinds of feedback to enhance its completeness."
Meanwhile, following the launch of the 'AI Mate Shopping' beta service in the first quarter of this year in the form of a KakaoTalk channel, Kakao plans to introduce 'AI Mate Local' as a new service within the year. By launching various vertical mates starting with shopping and local, Kakao aims to expand entry points for its existing businesses and strengthen user engagement.
Kakao is also preparing an AI-based generative search service that infers the context of user requests and summarizes optimal responses. Based on a strategic partnership with OpenAI, Kakao is pursuing technological collaboration to further advance its AI services and is focusing on expanding service usability and experience through the development of AI agents that span the entire Kakao ecosystem.
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