Government to Foster 1,000 AI-Powered Creators with 7.9 Billion Won Investment

Korea Creative Content Agency Unveils 2026 Talent Development Roadmap
Strengthening On-Site OTT Training in Partnership with Netflix
"Fostering Practical Talent to Lead the Global Market"

The government has announced plans to foster "convergence creators" equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) skills in order to respond to the rapidly changing content production environment. The aim is not merely to teach technology, but to cultivate practical talent capable of leading the global market by utilizing AI as a tool.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Creative Content Agency announced on January 12 that they have finalized the "2026 Annual Roadmap for Talent Development Projects" and will launch fifteen core initiatives encompassing everything from AI convergence to global exports.

The main focus of this year's roadmap is "technological convergence." The Korea Creative Content Agency will invest 7.9 billion won in a new project, the "AI Specialized Content Academy." The plan is to train 900 prospective creators in basic AI applications and 100 experienced professionals in practical project skills that can be immediately applied in the market, producing a total of 1,000 AI specialists.

Field-oriented training will also be strengthened. The "Creative Talent Companion Program," with a budget of 9.7 billion won, will select 300 young people for intensive apprenticeship-based training. In the OTT sector, the agency will expand global collaboration by partnering with Netflix to train 1,000 professionals in planning and post-production skills.

Efforts will also focus on securing specialized talent by genre. In the webtoon sector, 140 producers and elite writers will be trained, while in popular music and animation, the emphasis will be on producing field-ready professionals. Additionally, 100 export specialists will be separately selected to help expand the global reach of K-content.

Yoo Hyunseok, Acting President of the Korea Creative Content Agency, stated, "Only convergence talent that combines genre-specific expertise with advanced technology can change the landscape of the global market," adding, "We will ensure that this roadmap serves as a clear milestone for the growth of prospective creators." Detailed application guidelines can be found on the websites of the Korea Creative Content Agency and EduKocca.