Kakao to launch AI-powered communication platform in 2025

Kakao Work will transform into version 2.0 with AI assistant functionality in the first quarter of next year. [Photo provided by Kakao website]

Kakao Corp. is set to release an upgraded version of its workplace communication platform, Kakao Work 2.0, early next year, equipped with a new artificial intelligence (AI) assistant.

According to IT industry sources on Sunday, Kakao’s IT solution subsidiary, dktechin, has been developing Kakao Work 2.0 following its absorption of Kakao Enterprise’s non-cloud division in March. This new platform is one of the first major results of that acquisition.

While the original Kakao Work focused on collaboration tools like video conferencing, email, surveys, and schedule management, Kakao Work 2.0 is set to evolve into a virtual assistant, offering personalized briefings based on users’ real-time information, such as optimized workflows and to-do lists.

Before the official launch of Kakao Work 2.0, dktechin plans a large-scale update to the current version in the fourth quarter of this year.

The update will include a slew of new features such as human resources and task management (attendance tracking, employee evaluations, certificate issuance, project management), administrative functions (intranet, electronic approval, expense management, space reservations), and everyday support tools (parking, medical expenses, meal allowances, educational support).

In the first quarter of next year, the platform will integrate a real-time conversational AI assistant tentatively called worky.

Unlike the current notification bots, which simply relay one-way information based on predefined rules, the worky will be an advanced, interactive assistant.

For instance, rather than just notifying users of completed electronic approvals, the worky will analyze various inputs, such as approval data and vacation information, to present a clear list of important tasks for the day.

For example, if a user is scheduled to take a three-day vacation starting tomorrow, the worky will remind them of two overdue approval files from the previous day and the current status of an in-progress report.

The assistant will also recommend the best times for reminders, offer integrated search and translation functions, and include a spelling and grammar checker.

Additionally, the worky will provide message summaries, allowing users to quickly review mentions directed at them after a meeting with unread messages.