TLDR: Kookmin University, in collaboration with Selfish Club, has successfully concluded a generative AI practical training program for digital entrepreneurs in Korea. The program, held from May to July, enabled small business owners to integrate AI tools like Midjourney and ChatGPT into their operations, leading to reduced expenses and increased efficiency in areas such as product planning, marketing, image production, and customer response. Specific success stories include a traditional confectionery brand using AI for short-form videos, a furniture brand creating image content, a food brand designing marketing materials, and a walnut brand automating customer review responses. The initiative aims to enhance brand competitiveness in the e-commerce sector, with further training planned.
SEOUL, South Korea – Kookmin University, through its Korea University Platform SME Research Center, announced on August 5, 2025, the successful conclusion of a generative AI practical training program designed to empower digital entrepreneurs across Korea. The initiative, conducted in partnership with Selfish Club, aimed to equip small business owners with advanced AI tools to optimize their operations, reduce costs, and enhance efficiency in the rapidly evolving digital marketplace.
The comprehensive training, which ran in three sessions from May to July, focused on enabling digital entrepreneurs – defined as small business owners operating on digital platforms, including online sellers – to leverage generative AI across various business functions. This included applications in product planning, image production, marketing strategies, and customer response mechanisms.
The program has already yielded tangible results for participating businesses. For instance, ‘Baodam,’ a traditional Korean confectionery brand, successfully utilized generative AI to produce trendy short-form promotional videos, expanding their marketing reach. The furniture brand ‘Gallong’ achieved significant cost reductions by employing Midjourney to create visual content of Korean cuisine, eliminating the need for actual food preparation in their marketing materials.
Furthermore, the food brand ‘Songjjoojip’ implemented Midjourney and ChatGPT for designing posters, crafting compelling copywriting, and managing overall marketing efforts for department store pop-up promotions. This strategic integration of AI not only reduced marketing expenses but also ensured consistent brand messaging. ‘Dr. Walnut,’ a premium walnut brand, enhanced its customer service by integrating an AI system for automated responses to customer reviews, streamlining communication and improving efficiency.
Han Eun-sun, the project team leader of the Korea University Platform SME Research Center, emphasized the importance of such initiatives, stating, ‘We will strengthen AI training for digital entrepreneurs to enhance brand competitiveness in the rapidly changing e-commerce environment.’ This statement underscores the university’s commitment to fostering innovation and resilience among small and medium-sized enterprises in the digital age.
Looking ahead, the Korea University Platform SME Research Center is set to continue its support for digital entrepreneurs by launching the ‘Digital SME Executive Course 5th Session.’ This intensive 11-week program, scheduled from September 25 to December 11, will delve deeper into generative AI, trend analysis, advanced business strategies, and leadership enhancement, further solidifying the foundation for digital business growth in Korea. Applications for this upcoming course are open until August 11.
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This program highlights a significant step towards integrating cutting-edge AI technology into the core operations of small businesses, demonstrating a practical pathway for digital transformation and sustained growth in the competitive e-commerce landscape.
