Companies Boost Competitiveness Through AI Utilization Training

In the age of AI, companies are enhancing their competitiveness by expanding practical AI utilization training. This movement goes beyond mere technology adoption, aiming to help employees effectively apply AI to their work. As AI expands from a niche technical skill to a universal work tool across all job roles, talent development standards are shifting. Companies and educational institutions are moving away from lecture-based learning towards hackathons, game jams, job training, and project classes to strengthen AI application capabilities. The trend highlights the growing importance of problem definition, as well as the ability to implement and improve AI-generated outcomes, in addition to coding skills.

Woowa Brothers, the operator of Baemin, hosted its in-house hackathon 'Woowathon 2026' under the slogan 'Smarter Work, Newer Services with AI,' inviting employees from diverse roles. The event saw 153 employees participate in 36 teams, utilizing AI throughout the entire process from planning and development to presentation material creation.

The Korea Radio Promotion Association and Kakao jointly hosted the 'SSAFY × Kakao Tech Bootcamp AI Hackathon' themed 'Top 10 AI Projects for Public Welfare.' Approximately 90 participants across 12 teams challenged themselves to develop service prototypes that solve societal issues, with a total of 15 million won in prize money awarded to the top 5 teams.

Following Woowa Brothers' 'Woowathon 2026' and the Korea Radio Promotion Association/Kakao's 'SSAFY × Kakao Tech Bootcamp AI Hackathon,' Nexon is now recruiting participants for its university student game jam, 'Jaemit-NEC.' Now in its fourth year, the event has transitioned to an 'AI Native Game Jam,' designed with the premise of AI utilization throughout the entire game development process. Participants will form teams to complete games based on given themes over three days and two nights. Nexon has newly established an AI utilization support fund of 400,000 won per team. Nexon's on-site professionals will provide mentoring and judging, sharing their expertise. Applications are open until the 28th, with a total of 56 participants (14 teams) to be selected through document and project evaluations. The main event will be held from July 24th to 26th at Nexon's Pangyo headquarters, and the completed games will be evaluated based on theme relevance, completion, creativity, and fun.