Kakao announced on the 20th that they launched a ‘Small Business AI Utilization Training’ program in Jeju on the 19th to enhance the AI capabilities of small businesses. This training program is a project promoted by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Small Enterprise and Market Service to systematize AI education courses for small businesses. Kakao has been selected as the training institution and will operate the AI capability enhancement program for small businesses.
Building on the success of the ‘Kakao Tech AI School – Business Owner Class’ that has been running since August, Kakao expanded the curriculum. It focuses on practical exercises to help small businesses utilize generative AI, including Kakao’s AI technology, in shop operations and marketing. The course will be held nine times across four regions nationwide including Jeju, Pangyo, Seoul, and Daejeon from the 19th to the 27th, targeting about 300 small business owners. The program offers tailored curriculums for five different sectors: tourism, service, retail, manufacturing, and dining, reflecting the regional industrial structure and characteristics.
The first session took place at the Kakao Jeju office with 40 small business owners attending, focusing on a tourism-specialized course. The curriculum centered on field-based content to meet the customer service and promotion needs in Jeju’s tourism industry. Participants created high-quality promotional images, videos, and marketing content suited to their industries using AI.
Participants also learned about major generative AI services and the function and usage of “Kanana Consultation Manager,” an AI chat service that automatically responds to customer inquiries on KakaoTalk channels, enhancing their AI capabilities for real business applications.
The lectures were conducted by AI education expert Kim Do-kyun, who is also an instructor at ‘Kakao Tech AI School’ and runs the YouTube channel ‘Paperlogy.’ Additionally, the sessions were broadcast live online through the “Construction Site TV” YouTube channel operated by the Small Enterprise and Market Service.
Kakao provides all graduates with up to 80,000 won in operating costs for Kakao’s ‘Easy Ads’ and Kakao Friends souvenirs, and holds separate awards for outstanding graduates. Additional sessions will be held in Pangyo (21st and 24th), Seoul (26th), and Daejeon (27th). Interested small business owners can apply through the ‘Small Business 24’ website.
Kwon Hyun-ok, leader of Kakao’s mutual cooperation division, said, “It is significant for Kakao to be part of the first step in strengthening the AI capabilities of small businesses nationwide,” and added, “We will continue to expand related education and support to help more small businesses grow without technology gaps.”