Recruiting new Kakao AI Ambassadors ‘

Kakao is recruiting 100 participants for its expanded KANANA 429 AI ambassador program. The five-month program introduces separate tracks for AI experts, creators, and university students, offering opportunities to test Kakao AI services, create content, and provide feedback. Applications close at noon on February 19, 2026.

Program Purpose and Name

• KANANA 429 promotes Kakao’s AI technologies and gathers user feedback.
• “429” references the HTTP status code “Too Many Requests,” representing people with abundant enthusiasm and ideas about AI.
• The program builds on Kakao’s first ambassador cohort, which included 20 participants.

Results from the Previous Cohort

• Participants communicated through KakaoTalk Open Chat.
• They attended monthly offline meetups, informal group activities, and networking sessions with Kakao employees.
• They previewed new Kakao AI services and exchanged feedback.
• The cohort produced roughly 100 reviews and other pieces of content about Kakao’s AI services, models, and technologies.
• Kakao selected and awarded five outstanding ambassadors.

New Tracks and Benefits

• AI experts: Test Kakao’s latest AI services and models and write in-depth reviews.
• Creators: Produce content demonstrating practical ways to use Kakao AI.
• University students: Promote the program on and off campus and collect user opinions.
• The activity period has increased from three to five months.
• Selected ambassadors receive AI service usage opportunities worth approximately 1 million won, along with additional benefits and special merchandise.

Application and Schedule

• Applicants must publish content related to Kakao AI and submit its URL through the recruitment page.
• Applications are accepted until noon on February 19, 2026.
• Every applicant receives a one-month free Kakao Emoticon Plus subscription.
• Selected participants will be notified individually through Kakao’s official KakaoTalk channel on March 4.
• The opening ceremony is scheduled for March 13 at Kakao AI Campus.

Kakao is seeking applicants who are genuinely interested in AI and willing to communicate openly while helping shape and spread its AI services.