Academic AI Advisory Group 'Kanana Scholar' Launched

Kakao announced on the 9th that it has launched the AI collaboration program "Kanana Scholar" and held an inauguration ceremony for its expert advisory group.
According to Kakao, Kanana Scholar is a collaboration program created to discuss Kakao’s AI strategy and technologies with academia and explore future directions for development. The program will center on an expert advisory group composed of academic specialists, along with exchange programs targeting university students and young people.
The expert advisory group consists of seven professors in AI and computing from major universities in Korea and will provide advice on Kakao’s AI technologies and services across the board. The group includes Professor Seonju Kim of the Yonsei University Department of Advanced Computing; Professor Seungyong Kim of the Kim Jaechul Graduate School of AI at KAIST; Jinwoo Shin, KAIST ICT Endowed Chair Professor; Juho Lee of the Kim Jaechul Graduate School of AI at KAIST; Professor Junhyuk Jang of the Department of Convergence Electronic Engineering at Hanyang University; Professor Hanbyul Joo of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Seoul National University (SNU); and Professor Jonghyun Choi of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Seoul National University. Kakao held the inauguration ceremony on the 6th and finalized the advisory direction and annual agenda. Future discussions will focus on key technologies and service strategies, including the Kanana foundation model, On-device AI, Agentic AI, and AI safety. A Kakao representative said, "By engaging in ongoing discussions with Korea’s leading experts in AI and ICT, we expect to refine the strengths and direction of Kakao AI even further," adding, "We will continue to work with the academic community through a wide range of programs to jointly explore the future of AI technologies and services."