Shift Up CEO Advocates AI Adoption for Global Competitiveness

The CEO of Shift Up, Hyung-tae Kim, emphasized the critical role of artificial intelligence (AI) for smaller nations like South Korea to remain competitive against larger powers such as China and the United States. During his address at South Korea’s 2026 Economic Growth Strategy event, Kim outlined how AI technology could help studios optimize their workforce and maintain job security in the gaming industry.

Kim highlighted the stark contrast in resources, stating, “We devote around 150 people to a single game, but China puts in between 1,000 to 2,000.” This statement, reported by GameMeca and later covered by Automaton, underscores the scale at which Chinese gaming companies operate compared to their South Korean counterparts. As the competition intensifies, Kim argued that embracing AI presents a critical pathway for smaller nations to enhance productivity and innovation.

AI as a Solution for Workforce Challenges

In Kim’s view, the integration of generative AI could transform the gaming landscape by allowing a single trained developer to accomplish the work typically done by many. He expressed that South Korea’s limitations in both quality and volume of content necessitate a strategic shift toward AI adoption. “We lack the capacity to compete,” he stated, reinforcing the urgency for smaller nations to leverage technology to their advantage.

The potential benefits of AI do not come without controversy. The topic has sparked debate within the gaming community, reflecting varying attitudes toward technology’s role in creative processes. Despite the challenges, Kim remains optimistic about the opportunities AI can bring, particularly in enhancing the capabilities of existing teams.

In a related context, Larian Studios, a Belgian game developer, recently announced that no generative AI would be utilized for concept art in their upcoming RPG, Divinity. This decision follows backlash against CEO and co-founder Swen Vincke, who initially indicated that the studio experimented with AI in the creative process. Vincke later clarified that rather than replacing concept artists, the company used AI to explore ideas, aiming to support rather than supplant human creativity.

The divergent approaches between Shift Up and Larian Studios highlight the ongoing conversation within the industry regarding AI’s role. As competition intensifies on a global scale, the decisions made by companies will shape the future landscape of game development and could set precedents for how technology integrates with creativity.

As South Korea continues to navigate these challenges, the emphasis placed on AI by leaders like Kim could redefine the parameters of competition in the gaming industry, fostering a new era of innovation and productivity. The stakes are high, and the choices made today will impact the region’s ability to thrive in an increasingly competitive global market.