Kakao held the \'Kakao AI Sail Summit 26\' in Busan to share artificial intelligence transformation (AX) cases across group affiliates and to unveil business plans to support local AI talent and entrepreneurs. About 800 local AI talent, entrepreneurs and developers attended. Kakao, Kakao Mobility, KakaoBank, Kakao Pay and Kakao Pay Insurance presented AI technologies and AX applications in their businesses. Kakao AI Sail also outlined a three-stage support structure spanning talent development, startup commercialisation and regional ecosystem expansion.

Fintech and Big Tech firms are expanding financial services beyond payments and transfers into identity verification, offline payments, venture capital and corporate finance. Toss, Kakao Pay and Naver Pay can use a government network to verify resident registration cards, strengthening non-face-to-face checks and fraud prevention. Naver Pay launched Npay Startup with the Financial Supervisory Service. Kakao Pay Securities secured an investment dealing licence. Financial groups are revamping second-half strategies as household lending rises and regulators review IT controls and network separation rules.