Kakao said on Saturday it held the '2026 Kakao Daily Life Innovation Conference' on March 20 at Heyground in Seongsu-dong, Seoul.

The conference comprised presentations by 9 academic research teams selected through last year’s open call for 'Digital Platform Daily Life Innovation Research Support'.

In the field of cross-generational communication, research drawing attention said KakaoTalk emoticons help narrow emotional distance between generations. A research team led by Yoonju Nam (남윤주), a professor at Hanyang University, found that using emoticons raised favourability toward the other party by 15.9 percent and perceived work-related competence by 8 to 9 percent. In family conversations, when parents used emoticons, the psychological distance felt by children fell by 25 percent.

Research related to older adults was also presented. A team led by Wonjun Jeong (정원준), a professor at the University of Suwon, said 88.4 percent of respondents aged 60 and older felt their quality of life improved through use of services such as KakaoTalk, KakaoPay and Kakao T.

The value of small businesses using KakaoTalk Channels was also presented in figures. A team led by Minho Ryu (류민호), a professor at Dong-A University, found small business owners valued add-on features of KakaoTalk Channels at an average of 19,500 won per month. The AI-based precision targeting function accounted for the largest share at 9,313 won, about 48 percent.

Kakao CA Council ESG chief leader Daeyeol Kwon (권대열) said, "We will explore with experts how Kakao's services and technology are being used."