IT and Gaming Companies Directly Train 'AI Talent'

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] As the demand for artificial intelligence (AI) specialists rapidly increases, especially in the IT and gaming industries, major companies have launched all-out efforts to secure AI talent. These companies are focusing on nurturing AI professionals through long-term strategies such as directly supporting leading domestic universities or operating AI talent development programs.

◆ Naver, fostering practical AI talent = According to industry sources on the 31st, Naver's nonprofit independent organization, the Naver Connect Foundation, is conducting AI and software education programs 'Boost Camp Web & Mobile' and 'Boost Camp AI Tech' this year. Through these programs, they plan to nurture about 800 practical AI and software professionals annually.

In particular, Boost Camp AI Tech was newly established this year to cultivate AI engineers with excellent problem-solving skills. The program is designed to allow participants to experience the entire process over five months, from basic theoretical education to product serving. AI experts and faculty members, including Kim Seong-hoon, CEO of Upstage, Professor Joo Jae-gul of KAIST, and Kim Seong-dong, a researcher at Naver AI Research, participate as masters to share practical experience and know-how necessary for AI engineers. The foundation aims to nurture 500 AI engineers annually through this program.

They also promote AI talent development through industry-academia cooperation. Earlier, on the 21st, Naver signed an agreement with the KAIST Graduate School of AI to advance AI research and secure global AI leadership. The agreement includes joint efforts to nurture AI specialists. Accordingly, Naver researchers will serve as adjunct professors, teaching and guiding research for KAIST AI graduate students. Additionally, KAIST AI graduate students will be offered opportunities for internships and industry-academia cooperation dispatches at Naver.

◆ Kakao, with Chairman Kim Beom-su rolling up his sleeves = Kakao is expected to have Chairman Kim Beom-su of the Kakao Board of Directors directly involved in AI talent development. It is highly anticipated that 'AI talent development' will be included in the first project of the 5 trillion won donation project foundation 'Brian Impact.'

In a company meeting in February, Chairman Kim stated his areas of interest for donations as "people preparing for the future, those who have not had opportunities due to digital education gaps, and AI talents." He added, "The method I pursue is project-based," and said, "I want to structure it to spend several hundred billion won within a set unit of one year."

Recently, Chairman Kim has been recruiting external personnel to form a team for AI talent development projects. A likely specific business direction is establishing AI education institutions for marginalized or low-income groups.

Chairman Kim's commitment to AI talent development is also reflected in recent personnel appointments. On the 12th of last month, he appointed Kim Il-du, head of the deep learning algorithm research team (33), as CEO of Kakao Brain, Kakao's AI subsidiary. The appointment of a developer-origin team leader in his early 30s as CEO is seen as an effort by Chairman Kim to present a success case to young people aspiring to become AI experts.

◆ NC leads AI industry-academia cooperation = Not only IT companies but also the gaming industry is deeply engaged in nurturing AI talent. In particular, NCSoft is running the 'NC Fellowship,' an AI talent development program involving 11 universities. This program is designed for university students to gain experience and knowledge in AI research. Students studying AI-related fields at major domestic universities participate.

The program is divided into the existing 'Game AI Track' and the newly established 'Neural Graphics Track.' The Game AI Track includes eight AI-related clubs from seven universities: Korea University, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Seoul National University, Sungkyunkwan University, Ewha Womans University, Chung-Ang University, and KAIST. Participants systematically learn technologies in the game AI field through reinforcement learning, machine learning, and deep learning.

The Neural Graphics Track is conducted in connection with graphics lectures at six universities: Kyung Hee University, Sungkyunkwan University, Yonsei University, KAIST, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), and Hanyang University. It nurtures students interested in the latest AI-based graphics technologies for metaverse services and next-generation games.

NCSoft also holds AI-related competitions, selecting winning and runner-up teams and awarding a total prize of 20 million won. Outstanding participating teams are also offered internship opportunities at NCSoft.