[E-Daily Reporter Kim Hyun-ah ] Kakao(035720)reveals how it plans to transform the connection between its services and users using artificial intelligence (AI).

Kakao announced on the 7th that it will host the developer conference “if(kakao)26” for two days, from October 13 to 14, at the Kakao AI Campus in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province.

Now in its eighth year, “if(kakao)”’s slogan is “Intelligence for Every Connection.” At this event, Kakao will showcase its achievements in developing AI-powered services and technologies, and will also discuss the safety and responsibility required in the AI era.

On the first day, Kakao CEO Jeong Shin-ah will deliver the keynote speech. Under the theme “Connection for All, Intelligence for Each Individual,” she will explain Kakao’s AI strategy and the future direction of its services.

Kim Dae-nyeon, Head of Design, will discuss how to design AI services that understand users’ situations and contexts.

Noh Byung-seok, Performance Leader for Unified Foundation Models, will present the current status and future plans for the “Kanana” model, which serves as the foundation for AI agents.

Song Jae-ha, Kakao’s Chief Technology Officer (CTO), will explain the technical requirements necessary for creating safe and responsible AI.

Following the keynote speeches, approximately 50 technical sessions featuring developers from Kakao and its affiliates will take place over two days.

A wide range of development experiences will be shared, from AI strategy to AI models and Agent AI, as well as case studies of AI applications in real-world services.

On the second day, the event will focus intensively on the safety and reliability of AI technology under the theme “The Moment Technology Becomes Trustworthy.”

Key topics include governance, service stability, and infrastructure, as well as the “AI-Driven Development Lifecycle (AI-DLC),” which uses AI to transform the software development process.

Programs will also be held where developers can freely exchange ideas.

During the “Fireside Chat,” representatives from Kakao and its affiliates, along with external experts, will discuss the changes AI has brought to the development landscape and the standards necessary for its safe use.

Following the presentations, there will be an “After Session” where speakers and participants can ask additional questions and engage in further discussion. A networking program will also be held to allow participants to connect based on their areas of interest.

Anyone can participate in IF Kakao. Registration will be open on the official website from September 7 through September 28 at 12:00 PM. Participants will be selected via a random drawing from among the applicants, and results will be individually notified via the official KakaoTalk channel starting October 1.

Key sessions, including the keynote address, will be livestreamed online. Following the event, video-on-demand (VOD) recordings of all sessions will be made available.

A Kakao spokesperson stated, “This year’s If Kakao is an opportunity to introduce new value created by integrating AI into Kakao’s connectivity experience and to share the standards and responsibilities under which AI technology should operate,” adding, “Based on trustworthy technology and our experience in operating AI, we will continue to expand the value of connectivity in a safer manner.”