[DigitalToday reporter Lee Ho-jung] Kakao said on Sept. 1 that its regional AI talent and company development body, Kakao AI Sail, will hold 'Kakao AI Sail Summit 26' on Sept. 29 at the Busan Port International Exhibition and Convention Center (BPEX).

The event will be held for about 800 participants including founders, startup officials, students and developers. It was designed to share Kakao Group artificial intelligence transformation (AX) cases and AI technology trends at home and abroad, and to support exchanges among regional AI companies and talent.

The theme is 'Toward the future, a voyage of possibilities'. Speakers include Kakao and affiliate technology practitioners, global company technology experts, regional founders and academic experts.

A keynote speech will introduce Kakao AI Sail's vision and business direction, and AI infrastructure. Subsequent sessions will cover Kakao Group's AX strategy and AI transformation cases by industry, a regional founders panel discussion, and introductions to solutions from global technology partners.

The event will also run partner booths showcasing AI technology and solutions from global technology companies. Participants can experience the technology on site and hold business consultations with domestic and overseas partners.

An AI agent hackathon for aspiring founders, called 'Ralphton', will also be held on the day of the event. Ralphton is an entrepreneurship programme in which participants validate ideas with AI agents and develop a product that can be demonstrated in one day. Students from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST) and Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), along with regional talent, are expected to take part.

Kakao AI Sail is a private-sector cooperation body that supports the development of regional AI talent, entrepreneurship and corporate growth by linking Kakao Group's technology and business infrastructure with the research capabilities of the four major science and technology institutes.

Kim Young-deok (김영덕), head of the Kakao AI Sail Center, said, "We will support the revitalisation of the regional AI ecosystem and companies' global expansion by connecting Kakao's technological capabilities and business experience, the research capabilities of the four major science and technology institutes, and insights from domestic and overseas technology partners."