Seoul Partners with Microsoft and Intel to Develop AI Training Programs for Youth

MOU Signed for Youth Job Academy on the 28th
Company-Linked Projects and Special Lectures by Industry Professionals to Be Offered

The Seoul Metropolitan Government is strengthening education for nurturing young AI talent by partnering with economic organizations and global companies.

On the 28th, the city announced that it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) at Seosomun 2 Government Complex with the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Microsoft Korea, Salesforce Korea, and Intel Korea to promote the Youth Job Academy's AI Specialized Campus. The signing ceremony was attended by Joo Yongtae, Director General of Economic Policy at the Seoul Metropolitan Government; Lee Sangbok, Director of the Human Resources Development Division at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Yoo Hyunkyung, Head of Public Sector at Microsoft Korea; Son Buhwan, CEO of Salesforce Korea; Bae Taewon, CEO of Intel Korea; and about 10 others.

Youth Employment Academy Jongno Campus. Provided by Seoul City

Previously, in February, Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon announced the vision of "Seoul, Leading Global AI Innovation City," pledging to nurture 10,000 AI talents annually, including 4,000 through the Youth Job Academy, and to establish and expand scholarships for master's programs in science and engineering.

Under this agreement, the Youth Job Academy campuses in Mapo, Jongno, and Jung-gu, which were reorganized as AI specialized campuses this year, will introduce educational programs designed directly by companies, covering everything from basic theory to practical projects. Through this, the city plans to nurture 300 AI professionals annually, including AI service developers. The training will last about four months and will provide benefits such as company-linked project participation, special lectures by current professionals, and mentoring.

The city will oversee the operation of the educational programs and ensure that field demands in the AI sector are reflected in the curriculum. Participating companies such as Microsoft, Salesforce, and Intel will support training program design, provide on-site projects, and offer special lectures by field experts. The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry will assist in facility operation and business activation by reflecting industry needs.

The city plans to open Youth Job Academies in all 25 districts by the end of this year. It aims to support 4,000 young people annually in finding employment and to foster practical, innovation-driven AI talent by providing curricula that can be immediately applied in the corporate field.

Joo Yongtae, Director General of Economic Policy at the Seoul Metropolitan Government, stated, "We hope that this agreement, which further expands cooperation with global technology companies, will become an excellent example of a public-private partnership model for cultivating practical AI talent that companies and industries need." He added, "We will continue to build a comprehensive AI talent development system ranging from practical training to advanced and top-level courses through the Youth Job Academy, Seoul RISE, and Seoul AI Hub, striving to make Seoul a leading global AI city."