"The key to Everyone's AI is not KakaoTalk or the phone. KakaoTalk and the phone are entry points, while the agent platform and the web are the core. You can think of it as building everything on this web," said Kim Se-woong, Vice President of Kakao.
Kakao and LG Uplus are collaborating on the 'Everyone's AI' consortium, which aims to use familiar channels like KakaoTalk and phone calls as entry points for AI services, while implementing the actual services on a web-based agent platform. Users will be able to access these services through KakaoTalk or phone calls without needing to install a separate application, connecting various AI services and data through the web.
In an interview on September 15 at the Seoul Finance Center, Kim and Go Jin-tae, Executive Director of LG Uplus, explained their vision for implementing 'Everyone's AI.' They expressed their goal of expanding services to users who have not previously utilized AI by combining the service, model, and infrastructure capabilities of Kakao and LG Group.
Users will be able to access 'Everyone's AI' on KakaoTalk without any changes to the user interface or experience. Kim stated, "It’s like adding a new friend where Kanana used to be. You can add Everyone's AI as a friend and chat with it, and you can also access it via the web on a PC. The services and records used on KakaoTalk will also be connected to the web."
The decision to design services around the web was made to connect various touchpoints. Kim explained, "If a service like Government 24 wants to integrate Everyone's AI, it’s easiest to do it through the web. This allows us to deliver it to various entry points." The consortium is also considering expanding the use of Everyone's AI to other devices, such as LG Electronics products and TVs, in the future.
The phone will serve as a major entry point managed by LG Uplus. Go noted, "Phone AI is one of the features that represents each consortium member. We want to ensure that tasks performed independently within the phone can flow seamlessly across channels, providing complementary roles for each channel." Users can interact with AI via phone and then transition to KakaoTalk or the web for tasks that require a screen.
Each consortium member will leverage their strengths. Go mentioned, "Kakao has very strong capabilities in the application area, while we handle the integrated operation of models and GPUs." They plan to utilize both Kakao's Kanana and LG AI Research's ExaOne models, selecting the most suitable model for each service. Other participants, including LG Electronics, LG CNS, Kakao Enterprise, Shinhan Bank, and Lunit, will contribute to service implementation in their respective fields, such as devices, public services, finance, and healthcare.
The beta service launch has been adjusted from September to October. Kim stated, "We are currently aiming for early to mid-October and are trying to show as much as we can." The beta will start with a basic chatbot format but aims to evolve into an agent capable of handling real tasks such as applications, reservations, and payments, beyond just answering questions.
Public services are expected to be a key area for initial offerings. Kim expressed, "The most promising aspect of the Kakao consortium is in the public sector," predicting that they can demonstrate "higher completeness" in public services based on their experience with the AI National Secretary project conducted with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. They are also working on plans to unveil some services in health, medical, and senior care sectors by the end of the year.
The goal for user acquisition is to reach 5 million monthly active users (MAU) at launch, 10 million by 2027, and 30 million by 2030. Kim emphasized that the 5 million target is not merely symbolic, stating that they have confirmed it as a realistic figure based on user acquisition data from other KakaoTalk services. Go also mentioned that LG Uplus will leverage its approximately 1,800 stores and LG Electronics Best Shops to help expand the user base.
The ultimate vision for Everyone's AI, as described by both executives, is to evolve from merely answering questions to a 'complete AI' that can handle users' requests and perform actual tasks. Kim referred to it as an "AI that can complete tasks," while Go noted, "Ultimately, we need to ensure that even those who have never used it before will start using it."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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