Kakao Integrates ChatGPT Into KakaoTalk Messaging App

SEOUL, South Korea - Kakao Corp. announced on Tuesday that it has integrated OpenAI's ChatGPT chatbot into its KakaoTalk messaging application, which the company claims has 50 million users.

The service, called ChatGPT for Kakao, was developed in collaboration with OpenAI, Kakao stated in a press release.

Users access ChatGPT through a button at the top of the app's chat tab. Responses can be shared in chat rooms, and questions can be submitted from within conversations, according to the statement.

Users with existing OpenAI accounts can use those credentials to access the service.

New users can register with Kakao accounts or use the service without logging in, according to the company.

Free users are subject to usage limits, the company said, without providing specific figures.

The integration includes Kakao Tools, which connects ChatGPT to Kakao Map, KakaoTalk Reservation, KakaoTalk Gifting, and the Melon music service, the company said.

The system activates these services in response to user queries.

Users can choose whether conversation data is stored and whether interactions are used for AI training, Kakao said.

User information is subject to Kakao and ChatGPT privacy policies, according to the statement.

Kakao said it is offering a promotion for ChatGPT Plus, OpenAI's paid subscription service.

New subscribers who sign up through KakaoTalk will receive a refund equivalent to one month of subscription fees after three monthly payments.

The promotion runs until December 31 or earlier based on participation, the company said.