Kakao has formed a strategic partnership with Google, following its alliance with OpenAI last year. The company aims to transform its core messaging service KakaoTalk into a "super app" by collaborating with global leaders rather than pursuing independent development.
Kakao plans to deploy a dual-track strategy: partnering with OpenAI for large language model applications while working with Google on device experience. Analysts say the company's record-breaking performance last year, driven by KakaoTalk-related revenue growth, is fueling these initiatives.
CEO Jeong Shin-a announced the Google partnership during an earnings conference call on February 12, according to IT industry sources on February 16.
"We have agreed to begin full-scale global collaboration to deliver next-generation AI experiences on devices," Jeong said. "Rather than doing everything ourselves, we will efficiently cover all AI layers by partnering with global leaders in each field."
Kakao launched "ChatGPT for Kakao" in October last year, integrating OpenAI's ChatGPT service within KakaoTalk. The feature currently has approximately 8 million users. Jeong said the company will expand its OpenAI collaboration this year by introducing various ChatGPT-based AI functions within KakaoTalk.
The Google partnership differs in that it aims to expand the reach of AI services developed with Kakao's own technology. Kakao will work with Google on Android optimization for "Kanana in KakaoTalk," scheduled for official launch in the first quarter. The service is built on Kakao's proprietary language model "Kanana" and will integrate various AI agents for shopping, reservations, and navigation within KakaoTalk.
Currently, Kanana in KakaoTalk only runs on high-end iOS devices—iPhone 15 Pro and above—during its pilot phase. Kakao plans to resolve this limitation through Google's collaboration to enable Android compatibility.
"We will also collaborate on Google's upcoming AI glasses," Jeong said. "We will experiment with how user experience changes when Kakao services are added to various AI form factor environments."
Kakao is intensifying efforts to expand KakaoTalk's AI services as monetization opportunities grow. The company posted record consolidated revenue of 8.0991 trillion won and operating profit of 732 billion won last year, with operating profit surging 48% from 495 billion won in 2024.
"Daily average time spent on KakaoTalk increased by about 4 minutes for users of ChatGPT for Kakao and Kanana in KakaoTalk," Jeong said. "We will make this year the inaugural year of AI monetization by focusing on expanding AI service users and implementing agent AI."
Big tech companies globally are increasingly forming alliances to overcome development limitations. Apple and Google, long-time rivals, announced AI technology collaboration last month, with Apple adopting Google's "Gemini" as its AI system foundation model. Naver is building its own AI model with HyperClova X while signing an MOU with Nvidia for physical AI platform development.