Labor ministry launches AI hackathon to build public employment services

The labor ministry said Monday it is launching an online hackathon to develop artificial intelligence employment services directly with input from the public. The event aims to move beyond simple idea proposals by having participants build functional prototypes that address real needs in the job market.

"This hackathon was prepared to discover AI employment services that can be felt in the field by having citizens, the actual users of the national employment service integrated portal 'Employment24,' participate directly from idea proposal to the development stage, and to create practical cases of public data utilization," the Ministry of Employment and Labor said.

Registration opens Monday and runs through Oct. 13. The competition is open to any South Korean citizen aged 19 or older residing domestically, though companies are barred from participating. Individuals may enter alone or form teams of two to four members.

Participants will analyze existing services on the Employment24 platform to identify areas requiring improvement before implementing core functions in a working model under the theme of planning and developing new or improved employment services using AI.

The review process spans three stages. A preliminary document review will select 20 teams, followed by a functional assessment of the developed prototypes that will advance 10 teams to the finals. The final round requires a presentation and live service demonstration.

Ten teams will share a total prize pool of 10 million won. The grand prize winner will receive the Minister of Employment and Labor Award along with 3 million won, while the runner-up will earn the Korea Employment Information Service Director Award and 2 million won.

The ministry and the Korea Employment Information Service, which is organizing the event, plan to link outstanding results to actual service improvements, including reviewing them for deployment on the Employment24 platform.