Krafton AI-first reorganization marks a bold pivot toward AI-driven productivity, a strategic overhaul intended to modernize processes, empower teams, accelerate value creation across its gaming and tech divisions, and align product roadmaps with a data-driven culture that rewards experimentation. The company says it will prioritize AI as a central problem-solver, a move that aligns with its Krafton AI-first strategy, signals a sweeping reorganization, and places data-informed decision-making at the heart of every function, while also paving the way for stronger governance, ethics, and cross-functional collaboration. Investments include a GPU cluster for AI to support sophisticated reasoning, iterative planning, and real-time collaboration across development studios, testing hubs, and creative laboratories spanning multiple regions, with scalable infrastructure, edge computing pilots, and cloud-hybrid workflows to enable rapid prototyping and robust deployments. An additional allocation targets AI tools retraining to boost employee capabilities, reduce time-to-delivery for new features, and accelerate AI-driven productivity across the organization through structured trainings and hands-on experimentation, supported by mentorship from AI specialists and certification tracks that ensure tangible skill translation. Krafton reorganization is framed as automating routine tasks to free creative energy for advanced problem solving, while leadership emphasizes measurable growth and a renewed emphasis on collaboration, learning, and long-term scalability, with global studios exploring AI-assisted design, testing, and content generation to sustain competitive advantage.
In other terms, Krafton is steering a company-wide AI-enabled transformation that embeds machine learning into product design, development, and operations. This shift emphasizes data-powered decision making, cross-functional collaboration, and a culture of continuous learning, aligning with broader industry trends toward AI-first leadership while preserving creative autonomy. By investing in scalable GPU computing, workforce retraining, and governance that centers AI ethics and accountability, Krafton seeks resilient growth across studios, partnerships, and player communities. In short, the change is presented as a digital transformation driven by intelligent systems that turn research into repeatable, high-value outputs, improving speed, quality, and the overall user experience.
1. Krafton AI-first reorganization: A bold pivot toward AI-driven problem-solving
Krafton is moving to a complete reorganization as it positions itself as an AI-first company, signaling a strategic shift to prioritize AI as the central driver of problem-solving across the organization. This move aligns with a broader AI-driven productivity agenda and represents a tangible step in implementing an AI-first strategy that integrates technology with corporate processes.
The company emphasizes automation and intelligent systems designed to streamline workflows, empower teams, and accelerate decision-making. By anchoring its operations around AI-enabled capabilities, Krafton aims to foster faster iteration, smarter resource allocation, and a more responsive organizational culture.
2. Krafton AI-first strategy: Aligning corporate culture with AI-enabled growth
In adopting the Krafton AI-first strategy, the company signals that AI will shape not only products but also work culture and management practices. The reorientation seeks to boost AI-driven productivity by embedding AI across teams, from development to operations, with a focus on measurable efficiency gains.
This cultural shift is paired with structural changes intended to support AI-centric decision-making, encouraging teams to experiment with AI tools and processes. By weaving AI into daily routines, Krafton aims to unlock creative potential and accelerate value creation for stakeholders.
3. GPU cluster for AI: Powering sophisticated reasoning and iterative planning
A cornerstone of Krafton’s investment is a GPU cluster for AI, earmarked at roughly $69.7 million (about 100 billion KRW), designed to enable sophisticated reasoning and iterative planning. This hardware backbone is intended to support advanced AI workloads, enabling faster simulations, better data-informed decisions, and more robust AI workflows.
The GPU cluster for AI is framed as a strategic asset to accelerate product development, optimize game-related analytics, and bolster AI-enabled features. As Krafton scales its AI capabilities, the cluster is envisioned to act as a central engine for experimentation, model training, and real-time inference.
4. AI tools retraining: Upskilling Krafton’s workforce for AI-centric workflows
Krafton is allocating about $20.8 million (roughly 30 million KRW) to retrain its workforce in using AI tools. This AI tools retraining initiative is designed to equip employees with practical skills for AI-assisted collaboration, data interpretation, and automated processes.
By investing in training, Krafton aims to reduce adoption friction and accelerate the integration of AI into everyday tasks. The retraining program is positioned as a key driver of long-term AI-driven productivity and sustainable capability development across the organization.
5. AI-driven productivity: Redesigning workflows around Agentic AI and AI-centered management
Krafton plans to automate work centered on Agentic AI and to fully implement an AI-centered management system where members focus on creative activities and complex problem solving. This approach is designed to shift routine tasks away from manual handling toward intelligent automation and collaborative AI tools.
With AI-driven productivity at the core, teams can reallocate time to higher-value activities such as design, strategy, and experimentation. The implementation of Agentic AI aims to augment human decision-making, improve turnaround times, and enhance the overall quality of deliverables.
6. Krafton reorganization: Structural changes for AI-first execution
The announced Krafton reorganization signals a structural realignment to support AI-first execution. The changes are intended to streamline governance, align departments with AI objectives, and establish clearer ownership for AI initiatives across product, technology, and operations.
This reorganization seeks to reduce bottlenecks, accelerate cross-functional collaboration, and create a more agile environment where AI-enabled capabilities can scale. By refining organizational design, Krafton aims to translate AI investments into tangible improvements in performance and creativity.
7. Growth trajectory: Accelerating mid- to long-term value through AI investments
Krafton frames the AI investments as a pathway to accelerating mid- to long-term corporate value growth. The combination of a GPU cluster for AI, AI tools retraining, and AI-driven workflows is expected to yield higher productivity, faster feature delivery, and stronger competitive positioning.
As AI capabilities mature, Krafton anticipates a broader impact on monetization, audience engagement, and operational efficiency. The AI-first approach is positioned as a strategic lever to unlock new opportunities and sustain long-term growth across its portfolio.
8. Industry context: Krafton’s AI pivot in line with and ahead of peers like Microsoft
Industry context suggests Krafton’s AI pivot is part of a broader trend toward AI-enabled game development and operations. While Microsoft Gaming’s Phil Spencer noted that AI is being used primarily for security and moderation, Krafton emphasizes AI as a creative and productivity-enhancing force, aiming to extend AI into the core development and management processes.
The comparison highlights distinct adoptions of AI: Krafton’s strategy targets AI-driven creativity and problem solving, whereas some peers emphasize governance and safety aspects. Krafton’s approach indicates a deliberate push to embed AI into the fabric of product creation and organizational workflow.
9. Creative development in the AI era: Subnautica 2 and PUBG as AI-enabled studios
As Krafton pivots to AI-first operations, the creative process behind titles like Subnautica 2 and PUBG is poised to benefit from AI-enabled tooling, data insights, and rapid iteration. AI-driven productivity could shorten development cycles, enhance iteration quality, and inform design decisions with real-time analytics.
The AI-first orientation aims to translate more ideas into more features, with Agentic AI-supported workflows enabling teams to explore novel gameplay mechanics and content updates. This fusion of AI and creative development underscores Krafton’s commitment to leveraging AI as a catalyst for innovation.
10. Governance and milestones: Measuring success of Krafton’s AI-first approach
To ensure accountability, Krafton outlines governance structures, milestones, and metrics aligned with its AI-first objective. Key performance indicators will likely include AI adoption rates, productivity gains, and the impact of the GPU cluster for AI on development timelines and feature quality.
Ongoing retraining outcomes, automation uptake, and improvements in complex problem-solving capabilities will inform quarterly reviews and long-term strategy. By tracking AI-driven productivity and organizational learning, Krafton aims to demonstrate tangible value from its complete reorganization and AI investments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Krafton’s AI-first reorganization entail, and why is Krafton pursuing an AI-first strategy?
Krafton announced a complete reorganization to position the company as an AI-first organization, making AI the central means of problem-solving, productivity, and long-term value growth. The move is designed to foster organizational change and broader AI adoption across teams. This reorganization lays the groundwork for implementing Krafton AI-first strategy across processes and departments.
How does Krafton’s AI-first reorganization relate to its Krafton AI-first strategy?
The AI-first reorganization is the structural execution of Krafton AI-first strategy, aligning people, processes, and technology around AI-enabled decision making. It signals a company-wide shift toward AI-driven productivity and automated workflows across units.
What is the GPU cluster for AI in Krafton’s plan under the Krafton AI-first reorganization?
As part of the Krafton AI-first reorganization, Krafton is investing about $69.7 million (100 billion won) in a GPU cluster for AI to support sophisticated reasoning and iterative planning for advanced AI workloads.
How much is Krafton investing in AI tools retraining as part of the Krafton AI-first reorganization?
Krafton is allocating about $20.8 million (30 million won) to retrain its workforce to use AI tools, enabling broader AI adoption and improved AI-driven productivity.
What does AI tools retraining involve for Krafton’s workforce in the Krafton AI-first reorganization?
AI tools retraining focuses on teaching staff to effectively use AI tools to enhance efficiency, automate tasks, and support a shift toward AI-driven productivity within an AI-centered management approach.
What is Agentic AI and how will Krafton implement AI-centered management in the Krafton AI-first reorganization?
Agentic AI refers to AI systems that can autonomously perform tasks. In the Krafton AI-first reorganization, Krafton plans to automate work around Agentic AI and implement an AI-centered management system that emphasizes creative activities and tackling complex problems.
How does the Krafton AI-first reorganization aim to boost AI-driven productivity and corporate value growth?
By prioritizing AI in problem-solving, investing in AI infrastructure like the GPU cluster, retraining staff, and adopting AI-centered processes, Krafton aims to raise productivity and accelerate mid- to long-term corporate value growth.
What impact could Krafton’s complete reorganization have on its game development and publishing efforts under the Krafton AI-first reorganization?
The shift toward AI-driven productivity and AI tools retraining is expected to free teams from routine tasks and increase focus on creative activities, potentially accelerating game development for titles like Subnautica 2 and PUBG and influencing publishing workflows.
| Key Point | What It Means | Impact / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Complete reorganization | Krafton will undertake a “complete” reorganization to become an AI-first company. | Structural changes aimed at embedding AI across processes and teams. |
| AI-first positioning | Prioritize AI as a central and primary means of problem-solving; AI-centric management. | Shifts in workflows, decision-making, and workplace culture toward AI-enabled solutions. |
| GPU cluster investment | Invest $69.7 million / KRW 100 billion in a new GPU cluster for sophisticated reasoning and iterative planning. | Provides the compute backbone for advanced AI systems and long-term AI projects. |
| Workforce retraining | Allocate $20.8 million / KRW 30 million for retraining employees to use AI tools. | Upskills staff to operate and collaborate with AI tools, accelerating adoption. |
| Agentic AI automation | Automate work centered on Agentic AI; focus on creative activities and complex problem solving. | Aims to increase productivity and enable higher-value tasks. |
| AI-centered management system | Fully implement an AI-centered management system guiding operations and decisions. | Promotes data-driven governance and efficiency across the organization. |
| Leadership statement | CEO Kim Chang-han expresses ambition: leap forward and grow as AI-led organization. | Signals a bold strategic direction and commitment from top management. |
| Context on AI use | Notes Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer’s comments on AI use: current use is security/moderation, not necessarily creative process. | Situates Krafton’s AI push within broader industry discussions about AI deployment boundaries. |
Summary
Conclusion: Krafton AI-first reorganization marks a bold shift toward leveraging AI across operations to boost productivity, innovation, and long-term value. By investing in advanced AI compute, retraining staff, and adopting an AI-centered management approach, Krafton aims to accelerate its game-publishing and development capabilities while transforming its organizational culture. This strategic repositioning positions Krafton as a forward-looking leader in AI-driven gaming, signaling how AI-first initiatives can reshape corporate structures, workflows, and competitive advantage.
