Kakao Strengthens AI Ethics Governance with Launch of 7-Member External Advisory Panel — BigGo Finance

Kakao has assembled an advisory panel of external experts to establish standards and a policy framework for artificial intelligence ethics. The initiative is designed to proactively address societal risks arising from the spread of agentic AI and to keep pace with the rapidly changing regulatory environment, including the implementation of South Korea’s AI Basic Act.

Kakao announced on the 30th the launch of an external expert advisory panel under its ‘AI & Technology Ethics Subcommittee.’ The panel consists of seven specialists covering key areas such as AI safety, ethics, law, children’s rights, and international policy.

The panel members are: Kim Myung-joo, Director of the AI Safety Institute; Lee Min-seok, Professor at Kookmin University’s College of Software Convergence; Lee Sang-wook, Professor of Philosophy at Hanyang University; Lee Won-tae, Distinguished Professor at Kookmin University; Byun Soon-yong, Professor of Ethics Education at Seoul National University of Education; Yoo Jae-yeon, Adjunct Professor of Social Innovation Convergence at Hanyang University; and Jung Byung-soo, Head of the UNICEF L&D Center.

The advisory panel commenced its full-fledged activities by holding its first regular meeting on the 29th. It plans to continue regular advisory meetings throughout the year, offering opinions on the establishment of Kakao’s AI ethics standards and policy direction. Kakao intends to reflect the advisory outcomes in its internal AI technology policies and disclose related activities to the public.

Kim Se-woong, Chair of the AI & Technology Ethics Subcommittee, stated, “The launch of this external advisory panel aims to expand our AI ethics governance to the next level and further solidify our ethical standards and principles.” He added, “We will take the lead in fostering a responsible AI ecosystem by incorporating the panel’s independent perspectives into practical policies.”

Kakao’s formation of this advisory panel comes as AI regulatory movements gain momentum both domestically and internationally. Within South Korea, the AI Basic Act is on the verge of enforcement, while discussions on AI safety and ethics are actively progressing on a global scale. In particular, as AI technologies capable of autonomous judgment and action, such as agentic AI, proliferate, the need for companies to establish voluntary ethical standards is growing.

Kakao has previously established internal policies and reorganized related organizations concerning AI ethics. The recruitment of external experts this time is interpreted as a move to assess the social impact of technology from an independent viewpoint and to build more objective ethical standards.