Kakao Doubles Down on AI with Strategic Partnerships with Google and OpenAI
South Korean tech giant Kakao is bolstering its artificial intelligence capabilities through expanded strategic alliances with both Google and OpenAI. This move signals a broader industry trend of tech companies collaborating to navigate the complexities and high costs of AI development, rather than pursuing independent innovation.
Kakao’s Two-Track AI Strategy
Kakao is implementing a “two-track strategy” to solidify its position in the competitive AI landscape. This involves leveraging OpenAI’s large language models (LLMs) while simultaneously collaborating with Google to enhance device experiences. According to Kakao CEO Jeong Shin-ah, this collaborative approach is more efficient than attempting to cover all aspects of AI development internally.1
Partnership with OpenAI: Expanding KakaoTalk’s AI Features
Kakao launched “ChatGPT for Kakao” in October 2025, integrating OpenAI’s ChatGPT into its popular messaging platform, KakaoTalk. The service has already attracted 8 million users.1 Kakao plans to introduce further AI features powered by ChatGPT within KakaoTalk throughout 2026, expanding the collaboration beyond the initial integration.1
Google Partnership: Focusing on Device Integration and ‘Kanana’
The partnership with Google differs from the OpenAI collaboration, focusing on broadening the reach of Kakao’s own AI technologies. A key component of this collaboration is optimizing Android to expand the user base of “Kanana in KakaoTalk,” scheduled for official release in the first quarter of 2026.1, 3 Kanana in KakaoTalk is central to Kakao’s AI services, built on the company’s proprietary language model, “Kanana.”1
Kakao and Google will also collaborate on integrating KakaoTalk services into next-generation devices, including AI glasses, utilizing Android Extended Reality (XR).3 This collaboration aims to combine Google’s AI technologies with Kakao’s expertise in innovating for Korean consumers.3
Record Performance Fuels AI Investment
Kakao’s decision to invest heavily in AI is supported by its strong financial performance in 2025. The company reported record consolidated sales of KRW 8.0991 trillion and operating profit of KRW 732 billion, a 48% increase compared to 2024.1 This success, driven by rising KakaoTalk-related revenue, provides a solid foundation for these strategic AI investments.
Industry Trend: Collaboration in the AI Era
Kakao’s partnerships reflect a growing trend within the tech industry, where companies are increasingly collaborating to overcome the challenges of AI development. Apple and Google recently announced a similar collaboration based on AI technology, with Apple utilizing Google’s ‘Gemini’ AI model.1
Looking Ahead: AI Monetization in 2026
Kakao anticipates that 2026 will be the first year of significant AI monetization. The company is focusing on expanding the user base of its AI services, such as ChatGPT for Kakao and Kanana in KakaoTalk, and implementing agent AI capabilities to enhance user engagement and drive revenue.1 The average daily time spent on KakaoTalk by users of ChatGPT for Kakao and Kanana in KakaoTalk has already increased by approximately 4 minutes.1
1 Kakao Expands AI Alliances with Google, OpenAI to Accelerate, Sedaily, February 12, 2026
3 Kakao Signs Strategic AI Partnership with Google, Expands Collaboration with OpenAI, LinkedIn, February 12, 2026
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