Kakao Holds AI Technology Conference, Builds Startup Ecosystem

[Financial News] Kakao's AI talent and startup development initiative, kakao AI sail, held the technology conference 'kakao AI sail Summit 26.' As the ability to identify and solve real-world problems becomes increasingly important in the AI era, the initiative plans to connect local talent, companies, and experts so that problem-solving experience can lead to a virtuous cycle of entrepreneurship, commercialization, and ecosystem development.
According to industry sources on the 1st, kakao AI sail held the summit on September 29 at the Busan Port International Exhibition & Convention Center (BPEX) under the theme 'Toward the Future, Sailing Through Possibilities.' The event featured discussions on Kakao Group's artificial intelligence transformation (AX) cases, domestic and international AI technology trends, and the growth experiences of local entrepreneurs. Presentations and exhibitions by startup founders from four major science and technology institutes and global technology companies were also held.
The summit was notable for sharing AI technologies and AX experience accumulated across various business areas by Kakao, Kakao Mobility, KakaoBank, Kakao Pay, and Kakaopay Insurance. Kakao developers presented changes in developers' roles following the adoption of AI and examples of building AI-based coding environments, while Kakao Mobility outlined the future direction of mobility services enabled by autonomous driving technology.
Examples of AI transformation in the financial sector followed. KakaoBank presented its efforts to build financial AI datasets and ensure the stability of AI systems, while Kakao Pay shared examples of applying AI-based financial search and coaching. Kakaopay Insurance also introduced its achievements in redesigning insurance underwriting with AI, sharing the group's industry-specific AX expertise with local talent and entrepreneurs.
In his keynote, Young-deok Kim, head of the kakao AI sail Center, presented a virtuous-cycle vision in which local talent's on-the-ground experience leads to entrepreneurship and growing companies then return to solving local problems. kakao AI sail plans to provide comprehensive support for local entrepreneurship and business growth through three stages: AI talent development, entrepreneurship and commercialization, and the connection and expansion of local ecosystems.
At the AI talent development stage, programs such as Kakao AI Rookie Camp, Tech for Impact Campus, and Kakao Tech Campus will expand AI capabilities and problem-solving experience among local teenagers and college students. The initiative will also strengthen connections with follow-up startup programs so that talent nurtured through education can take on the challenge of launching real businesses.
At the entrepreneurship and commercialization stage, the AI Growth Platform will provide students from the four major science and technology institutes and local prospective entrepreneurs with AI infrastructure growth kits needed to develop services, including graphics processing units (GPUs), AI models, and storage space. The initiative will also support entrepreneurship and commercialization through Ralpthon, which turns ideas into actual minimum viable products (MVPs) in a short period, and Launch, which identifies promising AI startup teams and connects them with investment reviews and business collaboration opportunities.
At the local ecosystem connection and expansion stage, networking events such as the summit, along with the Busan AI Hub targeted for establishment within the year, will expand exchanges among local entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts. The initiative plans to create an environment in which AI companies can continue to grow by using the deep-tech capabilities of science and technology institutes and Kakao's AI technology to help solve AX challenges facing local industries.
Ralpthon, held alongside the summit, brought together about 60 participants, including students from the four major science and technology institutes and high schools in Busan, Ulsan, and South Gyeongsang Province. They completed the entire process, from developing ideas based on AI agents to building and presenting products. Working developers and venture capital (VC) professionals also took part as mentors and judges, offering practical advice on technological refinement and commercialization potential.
During the keynote, Seong-hyun Park, CEO of Rebellions, introduced the current state and potential of AI infrastructure based on domestic AI semiconductor technology. Seong-min Kim, an Applied AI engineer at OpenAI, shared methods for software development and verification using Codex, OpenAI's coding agent.
[email protected] Jang Min-kwon Reporter