KaKao

- Approximately 3,000 high school and university students as participants in the preliminary round across diverse majors, with 100 finalists advancing to intense competition

- Participants spanning IT, humanities, and the arts—highlighting AI’s expanding role across everyday life

- First program launched in connection with the Ministry of Science and ICT’s “National AI Competition”

 

[April 6, 2026] The student AI competition, AI TOP 100 (CAMPUS)—hosted by Kakao Impact and Brian Impact and sponsored by the Ministry of Science and ICT and Kakao—concluded with flying colors amid strong enthusiasm from participants.

 

Kakao Group (Chair Shina Chung) held the competition on April 4 at the Kakao AI Campus in Gyeonggi-do, bringing together high school and university students from across the country.

 

The event is a spin-off of the AI TOP 100 program held last November, which received strong participation across all age groups, and was designed specifically to foster the next generation of leaders in Korea’s AI industry. While the previous program encompassed a wide range of professions and age groups, this competition focused on the AI potential of students.

 

The online preliminary round, held on March 14, attracted approximately 3,000 student applicants nationwide, highlighting strong interest in the field. Participants represented a wide range of academic backgrounds beyond IT, including business, social sciences, and the arts, highlighting the growing integration of AI into everyday life. In addition to university students, participants from general, specialized, and Meister high schools demonstrated strong capabilities.

 

The 100 finalists who advanced through the competitive preliminary round utilized a variety of AI tools to solve complex challenges, showcasing both creativity and technical expertise. While the majority of participants were university students, high school students also delivered standout performances comparable to their older peers.

 

The grand prize (Minister of Science and ICT Award) was awarded to Jeong-hoon Lee (19), a freshman at Soongsil University. Lee stated, “Rather than focusing on winning, I enjoyed the process of solving problems using AI tools. This competition allowed me to better understand my capabilities, and it will serve as an opportunity to further deepen my learning in AI.” Gold prizes (Kakao CEO Award) were awarded to Cha-bin Hwang of Konkuk University and Jeong-yoon Moon of Korea Aerospace University.

 

This event holds particular significance as the first program of the “National AI Competition,” which officially launched on March 26, following the Ministry of Science and ICT’s “National AI Competition Project” announced on March 12.

 

Suk-young Ryu, the Chairperson of Kakao Impact, stated, “AI TOP 100 (CAMPUS) was a meaningful opportunity to recognize the potential of future AI talent. We will continue our efforts to foster talent and expand AI capabilities across all sectors of our society.” (E.O.D.)