Key Takeaways
- Job postings that mention specific generative‑AI tools rose 170 % year‑on‑year in Q3 2024, according to JobKorea (operated by Worksphere).
- Claude showed the steepest growth, with mentions up 770 %, followed by Gemini (+500 %), ChatGPT (+165 %), Copilot (+96 %), and Midjourney (+46 %).
- Claude’s share of AI‑tool‑specific postings jumped from 17 % to 55 %, narrowing the gap with ChatGPT, which held steady around 70 %.
- Demand for broader AI‑related skills—generative AI, prompt engineering, AI agents, “vibe coding”—surged 235 % YoY.
- AI proficiency is now being requested for marketing, sales, and operations roles, not just software‑development positions.
- Traditional qualifications are weakening: Microsoft Word postings fell 16 %, computer‑skills certifications dropped 10 %, and Photoshop listings slipped 9 %; Excel‑related mentions rose 10 %.
- The proportion of ads specifying a preferred academic major declined to 6.5 % in Q3 2024, down from 13.1 % in the same period of 2021.
- A JobKorea spokesperson said employers increasingly seek candidates who can apply specific AI tools in practical work as generative AI becomes embedded in everyday business operations.
- The platform also runs AI Jobs, a dedicated section with more than 1,200 listings for AI‑focused roles such as engineers, planners, and machine‑learning specialists.
Overview of the Survey Findings
JobKorea, the human‑resources technology platform owned by Worksphere, released data on Monday showing a dramatic uptick in the mention of generative‑AI tools within Korean job advertisements. The figures cover the third quarter of 2024 and are compared with the same quarter a year earlier. Overall, postings that name any specific AI tool climbed 170 % year‑on‑year, signalling a rapid shift in what employers consider essential qualifications.
Sharp Rise in Claude Mentions
Among the individual platforms, Claude recorded the most striking increase, with mentions surging 770 % compared to Q3 2023. This surge pushed Claude’s share of AI‑tool‑specific postings from 17 % last year to 55 % this year. As one observer noted, “Claude recorded the sharpest increase, with mentions climbing 770 percent,” underscoring how quickly the tool has moved from niche experimentation to a mainstream hiring criterion.
Growth Patterns Across Other AI Tools
While Claude led the pack, other generative‑AI platforms also experienced notable gains. Google’s Gemini saw its mentions rise 500 %, ChatGPT increased 165 %, Microsoft Copilot grew 96 %, and Midjourney climbed 46 %. Despite these jumps, ChatGPT retained the largest overall share of AI‑tool mentions, holding steady at around 70 % of postings that name a specific tool. The data illustrate a diversifying landscape where multiple models are gaining traction, yet ChatGPT remains the benchmark for many recruiters.
Expanding Demand for AI‑Related Skill Sets
Beyond naming particular tools, employers are increasingly seeking candidates with demonstrable abilities in applying AI. Mentions of generative AI, prompt engineering, AI agents, and “vibe coding” collectively rose 235 % year over year. This suggests that firms value not just familiarity with a platform but the capacity to engineer prompts, build AI‑driven workflows, and integrate agents into business processes. A JobKorea representative explained that “employers increasingly want candidates who can apply specific AI tools in practical work as generative AI becomes part of everyday business operations.”
AI Skills Spreading Beyond Technical Roles
The appetite for AI proficiency is no longer confined to software‑development or data‑science positions. Companies are now listing AI competence as a preferred qualification for marketing, sales, and operations roles. For instance, one large conglomerate affiliate explicitly sought applicants who “actively use AI tools such as ChatGPT,” while another employer included “familiarity with Microsoft Office and tools such as Claude” among its job requirements. This cross‑functional adoption reflects a belief that AI can enhance customer outreach, streamline sales pipelines, and improve operational efficiency across the enterprise.
Decline of Traditional Qualifications
As AI‑centric criteria rise, several long‑standing qualifications are losing traction. Postings that mention Microsoft Word fell 16 %, computer‑skills certifications dropped 10 %, and Photoshop references slipped 9 %. In contrast, Excel‑related mentions rose modestly by 10 %, perhaps because spreadsheet proficiency remains valuable for data‑centric tasks even in an AI‑augmented environment. The shift indicates that recruiters are re‑prioritizing hands‑on AI experience over generic software literacy.
Reduced Emphasis on Academic Majors
The survey also revealed a declining focus on formal educational credentials. The share of job postings that specify a preferred academic major fell to 6.5 % in Q3 2024, down from 13.1 % during the same period in 2021. This trend suggests that employers are placing less weight on the field of study and more on demonstrable, tool‑specific capabilities—particularly the ability to leverage AI platforms effectively in real‑world settings.
Employer Perspectives and Platform Initiatives
A spokesperson from JobKorea summed up the hiring shift: “Employers increasingly want candidates who can apply specific AI tools in practical work as generative AI becomes part of everyday business operations.” To meet this demand, Worksphere operates AI Jobs, a specialized recruitment hub that hosts more than 1,200 listings for roles such as AI and machine‑learning engineers, AI planners, and related positions. The section aims to connect talent with employers seeking proven expertise in the latest generative‑AI technologies.
Article Production Note
It is worth noting that this article itself was produced with the assistance of generative AI and subsequently edited by the editorial staff of The Korea Times. The use of AI in content creation mirrors the very trend being reported—highlighting how the technology is permeating not only the job market but also the media landscape that covers it.
Word count: approximately 950 words.
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/20261012/claude-emerges-as-fastest-growing-ai-skill-in-korean-job-postings