South Korean tech platform Kakao Corp. began testing its new artificial intelligence-based chatbot app “Kanana,” signaling a broader push to integrate personalized AI services into its ecosystem, which includes its flagship messenger service KakaoTalk.

The company launched a closed beta test on Thursday, making the Kanana app available for download from major app stores. The service features two types of AI companions: a personal assistant named “Nana” and a group assistant called “Kana.”

As users continue interacting with the app, conversations are stored and analyzed to deliver increasingly customized responses tailored to daily and professional needs, according to Kakao.

During a first-quarter 2025 earnings call held on the same day, CEO Chung Shin-a said, “Kanana is just the beginning. We will gradually roll out more AI-driven products throughout 2025 to cement AI as Kakao’s next growth engine.”

Chung also revealed plans to launch a new “Discovery” section in the third tab of KakaoTalk in the second half of the year. The space will feature short-form videos that aim to boost user engagement by up to 20 percent.

Meanwhile, Kakao reported a 6 percent drop in consolidated revenue to 1.86 trillion won ($1.32 billion) and a 12 percent decrease in operating profit to 105.4 billion won in the first quarter compared to the same period during the previous year.

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