AI certifications flood the South Korean market, but most exist only on paper

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People signing up for such courses tend to be those anxious about keeping up in an AI-driven world.

PHOTO: REUTERS

SEOUL - A wave of artificial intelligence (AI) certifications has flooded the market in South Korea over the past two years.

But according to government data, most of these certifications exist only on paper and have never been used by a single person.

As at July 9, there were 505 privately issued AI-related certifications registered with the Korea Research Institute for Professional Education and Training, a state-funded body under the Prime Minister’s Office.

This is nearly five times the number recorded in 2022, before

tools like ChatGPT captured global attention.

Many of the credentials are loosely tied to AI in name only. Among recent additions are titles such as AI Brain Fitness Coach, AI Art Storybook Author and AI Trainer, which often have no connection to real AI technology.

Only one of the 505 AI-related certifications – KT’s AI Certificate for Everyone – has received official recognition from the South Korean government. The rest have been registered by individuals, companies, or private organisations, with no independent oversight or quality control.

In 2024, just 36 of these courses held any kind of examination. Only two had more than 1,000 people apply. Fourteen had a perfect 100 per cent pass rate. And 20 were removed from the registry that same year.

For organisers, the appeal is