330 Students of the 6th AI Officer School Class Attend Entrance Ceremony

Seven-Month Training Program Begins: Orientation Held from May 28 to 30
1,300 Hours of Theory and Practice Until December 12
Project-Based Learning in Collaboration with AI Companies

Gwangju City held the "Entrance Ceremony and Orientation" on the 28th at Sun Valley Resort in Goheung, attended by 330 students of the 6th AI Officer School class and company representatives. Photo by Gwangju City

On May 28, 330 students of the 6th AI Officer School class took their first bold step toward becoming AI experts with the entrance ceremony.

From May 28 to 30, Gwangju City is holding the "6th AI Officer School Entrance Ceremony and Orientation" at Sun Valley Resort in Goheung. The "AI Officer School" is a leading domestic AI talent training program jointly supported by Gwangju City, the Ministry of Science and ICT, the National IT Industry Promotion Agency, and the AI Industry Convergence Project Group. Since the launch of its first class in 2020, it has produced a total of 1,221 AI professionals over the past five years.

The event was attended by Oh Sangjin, Head of the AI Industry Convergence Project Group; Byun Hyungjin, Director at ESTsoft; Park Yeonjeong, Executive Director of the Korea Software Industry Association; Lim Kinam, Director at Naver Cloud; and 330 students of the 6th class, totaling more than 350 participants.

The entrance ceremony included a video congratulatory message from Mayor Kang Gijung, the awarding of certificates of admission and cadet badges to students, presentations of students' aspirations, and a special AI lecture. The subsequent orientation featured a variety of programs designed to strengthen basic AI competencies and foster camaraderie among students, such as team-based short film production using generative AI and a talk concert with six industry professionals.

This year, 788 applicants from across the country applied for the 6th class, and 330 were finally selected through a four-stage process: an online pre-course, competency tests, interviews, and aptitude/personality assessments.

In particular, this training course will significantly enhance educational quality through the collaboration of ESTsoft, Smart Human Resources Development Institute, Korea Software Industry Association, and Naver Cloud, each contributing their unique expertise.

The curriculum consists of five fields and seven tracks: AI modeling, AI-based services, AI platforms and infrastructure, AI data, and AI business. Intensive training will be conducted from June 2 to December 12, totaling 1,300 hours. Students will be divided into ten classes according to their individual abilities and career paths, and will complete a field-oriented curriculum covering theory, practice, and projects.

Students will also develop practical skills by engaging in project-based learning in cooperation with major AI companies such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), SK, and LG CNS. Special lectures will be delivered by experts including Jung Sangwon, CEO of ESTsoft; Lee Kyungil, CEO of Saltlux; and Yoon Jungwon, Head of Public Sector at AWS Korea.

In addition to practical programs such as talk concerts with AI startups and developers and the "AI Company Bridge Day" corporate partnership event, students will have access to subject-specific competency enhancement, global online content, club activities, certification acquisition, and local internships, all of which are expected to help them map out their AI career roadmap.

All training is provided free of charge. Four outstanding students will also be given the opportunity to participate in "MWC (Mobile World Congress) 2026," one of the world's top three information and communications technology (ICT) exhibitions.

Mayor Kang Gijung stated, "All 6th class students of the AI Officer School represent the future of Gwangju and the potential of Korea," adding, "Gwangju City will stand by you to ensure you grow into practical AI professionals who excel in real-world settings, beyond just theoretical knowledge."