PANGYO, Korea (April 15, 2021) – NCSOFT, a global premier game developer and publisher, hosts a training program for prospective AI talents, ‘2021 NC Fellowship’. ‘NC Fellowship’ is the company’s training program for undergraduates to accumulate experience and knowledge in AI research. Students studying AI-related fields at major universities will join the program. AI researchers working at NCSOFT will work together with the participants to complete tasks and support them to become proficient AI talents. The program, which began in 2018, marks its fourth consecutive year in 2021. A total of 11 universities will participate this year. The program will introduce a new course ‘Neural Graphics Track’ along with the existing ‘Game AI Track’. Participating students will be engaged in the program throughout a year, starting with online orientation, followed by online training on AI, a development project for each team, and the final contest. Eight student clubs from seven universities will join the ‘Game AI Track’. Participants include Korea University, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Seoul National University, Sungkyunkwan University, Ewha Womans University, Chung-Ang University, and Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). NCSOFT provides structured education on game-AI through reinforcement learning, machine learning, and deep learning. ‘Neural Graphics Track’ implements graphics courses in conjunction with Kyunghee University, Sungkyunkwan University, Yonsei University, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), and Hanyang University. The goal of this track is to foster talents in the newest graphics technologies based on AI to implement metaverse service and next generation games. NCSOFT will select the winner and runner-up during the final contest. The total prize amounts to KRW 20 million. Outstanding teams will also be given internship opportunities at NCSOFT. Kyeong Jong Lee, head of Game AI Lab at NCSOFT AI Center said, “NC Fellowship aims to support students who wish to become experts in AI technology. NCSOFT will continue to improve ‘NC Fellowship,’ thus future generations can develop and utilize AI technology based on good values”. NCSOFT began research on AI in 2011, operating R&D organization with more than 200 professional AI researchers. The company has AI Center and NLP Center to work on research and development of AI for both games and non-game services.