Kakao has integrated and reorganised its entire AI organisation into an 'AI Studio' structure. The overhaul restructures an AI organisation that previously operated under a dual system into a single system. CEO Jung Shin-a (정신아) will also serve as AI Studio leader and take direct charge.

Kakao said on Monday it has carried out various experiments over the past year under a dual system of 'Kanana' and 'AI Studio'. It confirmed in the process that small teams autonomously and quickly validating minimum viable products were effective in reflecting market needs. While developing domain-specific agents such as Shopping and Local Mate, as well as 'Kanana in KakaoTalk', it previously accelerated the speed of service and product launches.

Based on those results, Kakao decided to expand the studio structure across its entire AI organisation. Jung explained the reason for the reorganisation during an earnings conference call on Feb. 12, saying, "In the AI era, where we must verify service value by repeating challenges and failures, we judged that a form of organisational structure more suitable is needed."

The overhaul also shifts the model research organisation to the studio structure. Previously, model research results remained within the research organisation, but going forward it will change to a system that takes direct responsibility through service application. Kakao said it has already verified its technological capabilities through its in-house MoE model and multimodal model, and it will maximise the speed of combining them with services. Each studio plans from this year to set a one-month development and deployment cycle for new AI functions and build a fast-paced execution system.

Kim Byeong-hak (김병학), who served as performance leader of the Kanana organisation, is expected to leave the company when his term ends.

A Kakao official said Kim's departure is due to the end of his term and will not affect the company's AI strategy or direction. The official added that leaders will continue to help by serving in advisory roles even after leaving.

Kakao emphasised that the reorganisation is an evolution of its organisational system rather than a leadership vacuum.

A Kakao official said integrating the Kanana organisation into AI Studio and shifting to the studio structure is instead a step forward. The official said Jung will lead the organisation steadily as AI Studio leader.