Kakao to Help Small Businesses With AI Transformation, Offer Training on 'Kanana AI'

[Financial News] Kakao is revamping its digital transformation training for small business owners and startups, placing a greater focus on artificial intelligence (AI). The program will teach participants how to apply AI to real-world business operations, from marketing and Kanana AI-based customer consultations and message automation to validating new businesses.
Kakao announced on the 18th that it will operate the Kakao Class-AI Business Practical Course with 11 Creative Economy and Innovation Centers nationwide, including the Jeju Center for Creative Economy and Innovation, Gangwon Center for Creative Economy and Innovation, Gyeongnam Center for Creative Economy & Innovation, Daegu Center for Creative Economy and Innovation, Busan Center for Creative Economy and Innovation (BCCEI), Sejong Center for Creative Economy and Innovation, Ulsan Creative Economy Innovation Center, Jeonnam Center for Creative Economy Innovation, Jeonbuk Center for Creative Economy and Innovation, Chungnam Center for Creative Economy and Innovation (C-CCEI), and Chungbuk Center for Creative Economy and Innovation.
Kakao Class is an educational program that provides know-how on using Kakao's services and platforms. Kakao and the Jeju Center for Creative Economy and Innovation have operated the program since 2016, focusing on strengthening digital sales capabilities through services such as Kakao Talk Deal and Kakao Shopping Live. Approximately 7,000 local small business owners and startups had participated by last year.
Starting this year, the program will be revamped as the AI Business Practical Course. To help small business owners and startups apply AI to their actual businesses and marketing, Kakao has prepared a step-by-step program ranging from online video-on-demand (VOD) classes to an AI practical camp, one-on-one advanced mentoring, and awards for outstanding companies.
The online program consists of 10 courses, including the introductory AX Starter Pack and the advanced AX Booster Pack. The courses cover setting customer targets and developing marketing messages with AI, operating KakaoTalk channels, creating content, and producing advertisements and analyzing their performance. Participants will also learn about Kanana AI-based consultation and message automation, as well as ways to validate new businesses using AI.
The training will be offered free of charge from the first of next month through November 30 on the Kakao Class page within Kakao Business Seminar. Graduates will receive AI guides and industry-specific templates.
Among the companies that complete the program early in October, 100 will be eligible to participate in the AI One-Day Practical Camp, which will be held at Seoul SVC on November 10. Each participating company will receive KRW 300,000 in Kakao Biz Wallet credit. Twenty of these companies will then be selected to receive KRW 500,000 in Kakao Biz Wallet credit and one-on-one advanced AI mentoring. The five final outstanding companies will receive benefits worth a total of KRW 13 million, including advertising support funds, at Kakao Pangyo Agit on December 4.
A Kakao official said, "We will continue working to help local small business owners and startups transition to AI and promote sustainable mutual growth."


[email protected] Choi Hye-rim Reporter