Kakao, a South Korean internet company, will shut its generative AI service Kanana next month after about 1.5 years in beta without a full launch, as it struggled to gain users against ChatGPT and Gemini.

Kakao began closed beta testing the service on May 8, 2025. It was pitched as an “AI Mate” that let users ask questions and generate images through a website and mobile app.

IGAWorks data showed Kanana’s monthly active users fell from 69,631 in May last year to 10,488 in August 2026.

Kakao had earlier shelved its Go-playing AI, O Zigo, after it lost to professional player Shin Jin-seo in 2018.

The company also never released KoGPT 2.0 after unveiling KoGPT 1.0 in 2021.

Kakao is instead moving consumer AI into its core platforms. It said it would integrate OpenAI technology into its services and unveiled agents for KakaoTalk under its “Everyday AI Agent” plan.

🔗 Source: Chosun Daily

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