KT (030200.KS) is moving to install the artificial intelligence assistant functions of its small-business platform Sajang-Easy into its Everyone's AI service. The strategy aims to secure a broad user base by building an environment that appeals to self-employed business owners as well as general consumers.
KT is developing an AI agent based on Sajang-Easy for the dedicated Everyone's AI application, according to telecom industry sources on the 21st. Sajang-Easy is an integrated AI platform for small business owners that handles store management and business support. By linking the platform's agent with the Everyone's AI service, KT aims to let small business owners easily get help with tasks ranging from business consulting to bookkeeping.
KT formed the Everyone's AI consortium with 16 companies including Musinsa, Zigbang, Daum and Upstage. The structure is designed to connect each member's specialized AI services across public administration, education, finance, shopping and housing. KT plans to draw self-employed business owners as key customers of Everyone's AI by leveraging the competitiveness it has built in services for small business owners through Sajang-Easy.
Rivals also plan to offer specialized functions targeting nearly 10 million people working in small businesses. The SK Telecom (017670.KS) consortium, which includes Channel Corporation and the Korea Association of Certified Public Tax Accountants' IT affiliate, intends to unveil services spanning customer response to professional tax consulting. The Kakao (035720.KS) consortium plans to launch a KakaoTalk-based Everyone's AI service so that small business owners unfamiliar with AI can use it conveniently.
The three consortiums, which have set a target of 5 million monthly active users (MAU), will launch commercial services in December. Ahead of that, the Ministry of Science and ICT and the consortiums reviewed the main functions and operating methods of Everyone's AI on the 16th. Because general consumers' online usage patterns and preferences vary widely, how often self-employed business owners use the service is expected to weigh heavily on MAU figures.
"The key is how much the agent connections and platform integration actually reduce the effort required of users," an information technology industry official said. "Even if a wide range of functions is implemented, problems such as integration errors or processing failures would be a major obstacle to driving adoption."