NHN has officially opened applications for 'Next AI Network 2026' (NAN 2026), a recruitment-linked hackathon designed to scout talent for the gaming and AI sectors. The event aims to explore new possibilities in the gaming industry through artificial intelligence and internalize work innovation. Supported by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Creative Content Agency, the competition is open to anyone aged 19 or older, either as an individual or in teams of up to three.

Applications are open until August 10 via the official registration page. Applicants must submit a working game build, a demo video, project documentation, and technical notes on AI integration as a preliminary task. Teams that pass the internal screening will be notified individually. The finals will be held from September 4 to 6 at NHN’s headquarters, Play Museum, in Pangyo, Gyeonggi-do.

Finalist teams will have 48 hours from the moment the theme is revealed to produce results such as game prototypes, agent designs, and directing specifications. The top three teams will receive prizes: 50 million KRW for the Grand Prize, 20 million KRW for the Excellence Award, and 10 million KRW for the runner-up. All winners will be offered a final interview opportunity for recruitment at NHN, with additional bonuses provided based on tenure upon hiring.

NHN aims to bolster its AI competitiveness in gaming by selecting talent with verified practical skills. This follows the 'NHN AI SPRINT-ON' internal program held in March and the '2026 Agentic Day' held on July 2 in collaboration with NHN Cloud and NHN Dooray, where various AI collaboration tools and demonstration systems were showcased.

Kim Sang-ho, Head of NHN's Game Division, stated, "NAN 2026 is a game-specialized hackathon where participants can propose new experiences using AI and implement them into actual results." He added, "NHN will continue to drive game innovation using AI based on our long-accumulated data and service operational expertise, and we plan to strive for tangible results rather than just adopting AI."