Hyundai Motor and Kia to train and hire AI talent directly... launch 8-week hiring camp

[Financial News] Hyundai Motor and Kia are expanding a program that develops and hires software talent with the skills to use artificial intelligence (AI). The program will introduce one-on-one mentoring on AI use to its intensive eight-week training for the first time, and graduates will also have the opportunity to take a final interview for entry-level positions. The strategy aims to secure AI talent early, as it emerges as a key competitive advantage in the future mobility industry.
Hyundai Motor and Kia said they will recruit participants for the ninth cohort of Softier Bootcamp, a training program linked to hiring, from the 19th through the 3rd of next month. Applications can be submitted through the official Softier Bootcamp website.
Softier is a blend of “software” and “engineer,” and conveys the idea of being a pioneer in automotive software. Since its launch in 2023, Softier Bootcamp has trained about 600 participants through its first eight cohorts.
The ninth cohort’s training will run for about eight weeks, from December 28 through February 26 of next year. The three fields are backend development, data engineering and data architecture, and service planning. Applicants must have earned, or be expected to earn, at least a bachelor’s degree from a four-year university in Korea or abroad between August 2026 and August 2027.
Hyundai Motor and Kia plan to select trainees with strong foundational skills and job-specific expertise through online assessments and interviews. All training is free, and the equipment and software needed for the program will also be provided.
Starting with this ninth cohort, the program will introduce one-on-one mentoring to strengthen participants’ AI skills. Following the curriculum’s shift to an AI focus in the eighth cohort, the program aims to improve trainees’ problem-solving abilities by pairing lectures from working developers on using AI agents with hands-on projects.
Trainees will gain experience with real-world development through classroom instruction and team projects. The program will also hold meetups by job function, where participants can interact directly with Hyundai Motor and Kia employees, as well as project mentoring. Upon completing the training, participants will have the opportunity to take a final interview for entry-level software positions at Hyundai Motor and Kia.
“Softier Bootcamp is Hyundai Motor and Kia’s entry-level talent development program, with the goal of nurturing AI engineers who can drive innovation in the mobility services ecosystem,” said Eunsook Jin, president in charge of ICT at Hyundai Motor and Kia. “We will continue to strengthen our training programs and selection process in line with the latest trends, and sustain our investment in discovering software talent and advancing AX.”
[email protected] Kim Dong-ho Reporter