Science & Tech · AI · 2 hrs ago
Kakao plans AI tools for payments in KakaoTalk and automated PC work
South Korean company Kakao plans AI tools for KakaoTalk and PCs that can carry out tasks, not just answer questions.
Its Kanana Space assistant will let users give voice or text instructions to send money, give gifts and change settings in KakaoTalk.
Kakao says the pilot will begin in December with people who sign up in advance, before it expands to more users next year.
A separate tool called Canvas is designed to automate sequences of PC work, such as gathering files and web information, writing a report and sharing it with colleagues.
Kakao says Canvas has begun internal testing and is due for a pilot in December before a full launch this year.
The tools rely on AI agents, which can take actions for users, but keeping the cost of those actions low is a key challenge for the company.
Kakao aims for its AI business to break even in 2028, with advertising and other AI services helping generate revenue.
Kakao plans to pilot Kanana Space, an AI layer for KakaoTalk that can carry out tasks such as sending money and sending gifts, in December.
The company also plans to launch Canvas, a tool that automates sequences of work on a PC, by the end of 2026.
Kakao said Kanana Space will respond to voice or text instructions and can handle tasks including changing settings and using KakaoTalk services.
Canvas is designed to gather work materials, browse the web, prepare reports and share them with colleagues.
Kakao aims for its AI business to reach break-even in 2028.
- Who
- Kakao, the South Korean technology company.
- What
- It plans AI tools for KakaoTalk payments and other actions, and for automating work on PCs.
- When
- Kanana Space is due to begin a pilot in December 2026; Canvas is planned for release by the end of 2026.
- Where
- Kanana Space will operate through KakaoTalk, while Canvas will run on users’ PCs.
- Why
- Kakao said it is developing AI that can carry out tasks for users and connect fragmented AI services.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Canvas began an internal beta test at Kakao.
Kakao disclosed its road map for Kanana Space and Canvas during its third-quarter earnings call.
Kakao plans to begin a Kanana Space pilot for people who sign up in advance.
Kakao plans to take Canvas through a pilot after its internal beta test.
Kakao plans to release Canvas as a full service.
Kakao aims for its AI business to reach break-even.
- Kanana Space pilot
- Planned for December 2026
- Canvas release
- Planned by the end of 2026
- Kanana Space tasks
- KakaoTalk settings, gifts and money transfers
- AI monthly active users
- Kakao aims for 10 million by the end of 2026
- AI business break-even
- Kakao’s target is 2028
1 source
What people are saying
The competitive landscape for agents in the global AI market is rapidly shifting from the ability to provide information to the ability to perform actual tasks on behalf of users
Kanana Space understands context accumulated within the scope agreed to by users and connects it to actions, without requiring them to explain the situation from the beginning each time
In 2028, new AI revenue will account for a double-digit share of total revenue and become a key pillar, and the AI business itself will reach break-even