Kakao stated on the 19th that it attended the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) under the United Nations, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from the 15th to the 19th for a total of five days.
This international forum is held annually to promote collaboration among global stakeholders on internet and digital issues and to strengthen policy cooperation. This year, it was held under the theme 'Designing a digital future for multiple stakeholders,' with over 9,000 stakeholders, including internet and IT experts from 175 countries.
Kakao participated in the session on utilizing AI for the protection of human rights on the 18th. Professor Yoon Hye-sun from Hanyang University School of Law moderated the session, which featured presentations from Kakao's technology ethics leader Jeong Jae-gwan, Konkuk University Media Communication Professor Hwang Yong-seok, Amazon Web Services (AWS) Singapore's economic and AI policy head Rachel Lee, and Çağatay Pekyörür, the community engagement and support leader for Africa, the Middle East, and Turkey.
At this conference, Kakao introduced efforts for public innovation through domestic platforms, implementation of group-level technology ethics, and activities to enhance digital safety.
As an effort for public innovation, Kakao provided examples of delivering public information to citizens through KakaoTalk and emphasized the active efforts of domestic platforms for the safety and convenience of citizens. Kakao transformed administrative methods such as existing postal delivery into digital formats using KakaoTalk notification messages and electronic documents, thereby not only enhancing convenience but also improving access to public services by allowing anyone to access information easily 24 hours a day.
Kakao also explained efforts to create and verify safe and trusted technology. Kakao formed a group technology ethics subcommittee to establish a system for implementing technology ethics at the group level and to integrate and manage technology ethics and related policies. In advance of service launches, it proactively inspects and addresses technology risks, such as developing a 'core checklist' to enhance safety.
Kakao noted that it is actively practicing activities to enhance digital safety. Kakao has established 'AI ethical principles' and created new regulatory provisions to continuously strive for healthy interaction between AI and users. It operates 'SafeBot,' which automatically filters comments containing profanity or violating posting policies using AI technology, and has released the 'Talk Annyeong Report' to disclose the measures taken to establish and implement policies for user protection.
Professor Yoon Hye-sun from Hanyang University School of Law, the moderator of the session, said, 'The experience of Kakao, which is leading the digital human rights protection through innovative methods of self-regulation led by the private sector ahead of national regulation, will provide meaningful direction for global companies and countries.'
Professor Hwang Yong-seok from Konkuk University Media Communication Department stated, 'The self-regulation cases of domestic corporations, including Kakao, are very flexible and effective means for forming responsible norms, rapid and transparent problem-solving, and proactive protective measures in a dynamic technological environment.'
After listening to the presentations on site, Imad Karim, an innovation leader at the UN Women Asia-Pacific Regional Office, said, 'It was very precious and meaningful for an Asian private corporation like Kakao to share its expertise globally.'
Kakao's technology ethics leader Jeong Jae-gwan stated, 'Kakao is making efforts to fulfill its social responsibilities as a digital platform that contributes to the protection of users' rights. We will continue to collaborate with various stakeholders to ensure that public innovation becomes more active and that platform users can safely enjoy the benefits of technology.'