AI Era, Developer Recruitment Freeze and Intensifying AI Talent Shortage
The recruitment market for IT positions is rapidly freezing.
According to the ICT statistics portal of the Ministry of Science and Technology, as of the 13th, the online labor index for IT positions stands at 59, significantly down from 174 in July 2020 and 167 in July 2023. This is the lowest level since statistics began to be collected, indicating a severe slump in the developer hiring market.
The main reason for the contraction of the developer profession, which was once sought after by non-majors dreaming of "six-figure salaries," is the advancement of coding technologies in artificial intelligence (AI). Now, it has become possible to create desired programs by conversing with AI in human language, even without knowing coding methods—a practice referred to as "vibe coding."
Global big tech companies have already begun to actively utilize AI in product development. Google announced that last year its AI systems generated more than a quarter of new code for its products, and companies like OpenAI and Meta are known to delegate around 20-30% of coding to AI.
While ordinary developers suffer from employment woes, the value of AI specialists is rapidly increasing.
In this situation, contrary to advertisements from coding academies promising that non-majors can secure jobs in just six months, the reality is harsh. A single job posting from a startup is receiving applications from 200 candidates. According to Saramin, job postings in the IT, web, and telecommunications sectors decreased by 15.5% in the first half of last year, while resumes submitted increased by 115%.
A single job posting from a startup receiving applications from 200 candidates.
On the other hand, the value of AI developers is rising quickly. Major companies like Naver and KT are proactively approaching talent, with some offering six-figure salaries.
Ha Jung-woo, head of the AI Innovation Center at Naver Cloud, stated, "We need groundbreaking measures to foster AI talent, and above all, we need strategies to ensure that they do not leave for overseas but remain in the country," calling for support from the political sector. KT has implemented a radical measure to abolish the salary cap for developers in order to secure AI talent.
Presidential Candidates Compete with AI Talent Development Promises
As the competition for AI technology intensifies both domestically and internationally, presidential candidates are also presenting AI talent development as a key promise.
Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party candidate, proposed strengthening STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) education for AI, establishing AI colleges at regional universities, expanding military service exemptions for outstanding AI talent, and attracting international talent.
Kim Moon-soo, the People's Power candidate, announced plans to nurture 200,000 young AI talents, expand enrollment at AI graduate schools and software-centered universities, provide support for labor and research costs to attract excellent overseas personnel, and promote digital literacy for all citizens.
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