SKT aims to build a global AI ecosystem with OpenAI, a generative AI company that created ChatGPT.

SKT announced on the 16th that it will partner with OpenAI of the United States to host the AI hackathon 'Prompter Day Seoul 2023' in Seoul in September.

SKT stated, “OpenAI organized this competition to respond to rapid technological advancements and industrial changes by utilizing generative AI technologies such as ChatGPT, and to discover global talent who will lead the future AI industry.”

He also said, “This hackathon will be an opportunity to gather and evaluate ideas on how generative AI can work positively in real life.”

The theme of this hackathon is 'Developing services that can help humanity through AI.' Based on a human-centered approach, there are various fields such as improving productivity in daily life, enhancing enjoyment through content, improving the lives of marginalized groups, and educational innovation.

Any developer or planner interested in generative AI who wishes to participate in a hackathon can join. In the competition, OpenAI models including ChatGPT can be used for development.

The application deadline is September 3. Following the online preliminary rounds on September 16–17, the finals will be held over two days on September 23–24 at Dream Plus Gangnam. The finals will feature a variety of programs, including a competition, presentations, an awards ceremony, panel speeches, and networking sessions.

The total prize money is 100 million won, with the Grand Prize winner receiving 40 million won. Winners of the Excellence Award or higher will be exempt from the first round of screening when applying for SKT Junior Talent (entry-level) recruitment. We also plan to review the joint development of services and commercialization of outstanding ideas discovered through this competition.

James Dyett, Head of Strategic Customers at OpenAI, Seok-Keun Jeong, Head of SKT's Global/AITech Business Division, and Jeong-Seok Noh, CEO of B.Factory, will participate as judges at 'Prompter Day Seoul 2023'. 'AI expert' Professor Hye-Yeon Oh of KAIST will also attend the event as a speaker. Participants can receive mentoring support from a team of AI experts.

Brad Lightcap, COO of OpenAI, said, “It is a tremendous honor to be able to look at the future that AI will shape globally and in Korea, along with the development of beneficial and safe AI technologies,” adding, “Through this Prompter Day, we will see new ideas, challenges, and services.”

SKT CEO Yoo Young-sang stated, “We look forward to discovering many promising talents who will lead the future AI industry through this global AI hackathon organized with OpenAI,” adding, “Based on this strengthened partnership with OpenAI, we will strive to revitalize the global AI ecosystem.”