Kakao said on the 1st that it has launched the youth education program "Kakao AI Rookie Camp" to nurture key talent for the age of artificial intelligence (AI) and bridge regional education gaps, and has begun recruiting participants.
The camp, to be held in February next year, is structured as a hands-on program in which teenagers interested in future software and AI fields carry out the full AI development process themselves. It goes beyond simply experiencing technology to teach how technology can be used to solve social problems, with the core aim of helping them grow into responsible AI talent. It also focuses on providing learning opportunities to teenagers in non-capital regions, where access to educational infrastructure is relatively limited, to reduce regional disparities in technology education and support the growth of the next generation.
Over four days and three nights, participating students will carry out the entire process of problem solving using AI—problem definition, data composition, AI model optimization, system implementation, and ethics verification—while learning how AI works and its social impact. They will also gain experience completing a solution through project-based practice that runs from ideation and design to implementation and presentation. In addition, special lectures and mentoring by current Kakao developers will be offered, enabling participants to understand industry changes driven by AI and to map out concrete career paths as engineers who will lead the AI era.
The camp will be held twice for a total of 100 teenagers from non-capital regions. The first session, for students in the Chungcheong, Jeolla, and Jeju regions, runs from Feb. 4 to 7, and the second session, for students in the Gyeongsang and Gangwon regions, runs from Feb. 9 to 12. The training will take place at the Kakao AI Campus in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, and Kakao will fully cover camp operating costs, including lodging, meals, and tuition expense.
Eligibility is middle school students (grades 7–9) in non-capital regions based on the 2025 academic year, and anyone with basic digital literacy or programming experience can apply. Applications can be submitted on the "Kakao AI Rookie Camp" website until Dec. 23, and the final successful candidates will be announced in January 2026.
Kakao will hold an online information session on Dec. 13 for applicants and parents, providing details on the program structure, operation method, selection criteria, and more. Pre-registration for the session is available through the website.
Kakao CEO Chung Shin-a said, "We hope teenagers will broaden their thinking through AI and discover new possibilities," and added, "We will spare no effort to ensure that this 'AI Rookie Camp' is not merely a place to experience technology, but an opportunity to relentlessly question, solve problems using AI, and experience 'life-changing growth.'"