Kakao said on Thursday it will recruit new members for its artificial intelligence (AI) ambassador program, 'Kanana (KANANA) 429'. From this year, it will expand the program into three categories - AI experts, creators and university students - to gather more diverse opinions and continue support to spread Kakao's AI more efficiently.

Kanana 429 is an ambassador program Kakao runs to promote its AI technology and services more effectively and to listen to a range of views. The name is a witty take on Kakao's integrated AI brand, 'Kanana', and the HTTP response status code '429: Too many request', meaning people with passion and ideas for AI.

Kakao launched the ambassador program last year, and 20 people selected as Kanana 429 carried out various activities through last December. These included ongoing communication through KakaoTalk Open Chat, an offline meetup once a month and small group gatherings, early experience of Kakao's new AI services and exchanges of opinions, and networking with Kakao crew members. They also received special goods made for the ambassadors.

They also produced more than 100 pieces of content, including reviews of Kakao AI services, models and technology. As the activities wrapped up, Kakao selected and awarded 5 outstanding ambassadors.

This year, the newly recruited Kanana 429 will extend the activity period to 5 months from 3 months. It will also create three categories - AI experts, creators and university students - and support activities tailored to each category. AI experts will experience the latest technologies, including Kakao's AI services and models, and write in-depth reviews. Creators will produce content showing how to use Kakao AI and spread it. University students will focus on ambassador activities on and off campus and collecting user feedback. Kakao will recruit 100 people and plans to provide selected ambassadors with access to AI services worth 1 million won and additional benefits.

Applications will be accepted until noon on Feb. 19. Applicants can complete their application by posting content related to Kakao's AI technology and submitting the URL on the recruitment page. Kakao will provide all applicants for this Kanana 429 with a one-month free pass for Kakao Emoticon Plus.

Kakao plans to individually notify selected Kanana 429 members via messages from Kakao's official KakaoTalk channel on March 4. It also plans to hold the first launch ceremony on March 13 at the Kakao AI Campus.

A Kakao official said, "Following the active activities of the first ambassadors last year, this year we want to gather even more diverse voices and complete Kakao's AI technology and services together." The official added, "We are waiting for many applicants who can communicate freely and without barriers based on their interest and curiosity about AI."