Tech firms race to recruit AI specialists

As artificial intelligence (AI) emerges as the go-to concept for corporate survival, Korea’s tech giants are scrambling to fill their staffs with AI specialists. They are doubling down on recruitment, partnerships and academic outreach, while also making efforts to lock in experts already on their payroll. In a move signaling urgency, Kakao on Monday launched its first-ever groupwide hiring campaign, breaking from its traditionally conservative hiring practices. The large-scale recruitment drive spans all job categories across its affiliates, including Kakao Games, Mobility, Bank, Entertainment and Pay. It is aimed at securing what the company calls “AI native” professionals — individuals who grew up surrounded by AI and digital tools. “Today’s young people are the first generation to grow up alongside diverse AI technologies, learning to use them and developing together,” company CEO Chung Shin-a said while announcing the campaign earlier this month. “We look forward to young talents who can discover creative answers through distinctive and unconventional questions.”