Google fuels Korea's AI surge with expanded training

Korea’s use of artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming more sophisticated than the global average, with AI skills emerging as a key factor in hiring and workplace productivity, according to a report cited by Google Korea. The average level of AI use in Korea is 1.7 times more sophisticated than the global average, according to a report by global consulting firm Public First titled “Driving Growth and Innovation in Korea with AI,” Google Korea said Thursday. Forty percent of surveyed workers said companies prioritize applicants with AI skills when hiring, while 35 percent identified the ability to use AI-powered tools as the most essential skill for workers. Adaptability and a willingness to learn new technologies followed at 21 percent, while communication and interpersonal skills accounted for 12 percent. The report also found that workers who received AI training and moved from basic to more advanced prompting techniques saved three times as much work time as those who relied on basic prompting. AI training was associated with annual productivity gains of between 2.3 million won