Lotte is speeding up groupwide AI transformation (AX, AI Transformation) with Chairman Shin Dong-bin (신동빈) at the forefront. Shin attended the 'CEO AI Academy' held over two days on June 5 and 6 for about 50 affiliate chief executives, Lotte said on Monday.

During the training, Shin built an AI service based on vibe coding, in which AI automatically implements code when requirements are entered in natural language. He also developed an AI agent. The group then reviewed its AX strategy and discussed its future direction. The CEO AI Academy has been held each weekend since June 1 and completed its six-session course.

Lotte plans to run practical AI agent training for all employees by year-end. It plans to boost productivity by having AI handle tasks such as data analysis and report writing, allowing employees to focus on the essentials of their work. To support employees' use of AI, it will introduce an external generative AI tool next month. It also plans to hold a 'Lotte AI Hackathon' to pit employees against one another on AI agent capabilities and an 'AI Challenge' to assess progress on key AI tasks at each affiliate.

As AI agent capability becomes a key standard, the role required of middle managers is also expected to change. The ability to move away from workforce-focused management and coordinate AI agents and team members to create synergy is expected to become a key factor in hiring and evaluation standards. From June 18, Lotte will gather about 150 group AI and IT executives for a one-night, two-day event to share AX strategy and cases of successful AI adoption under the theme, 'The real value created by AX.'

Shin said, "AX has become the top priority task, with the group's survival at stake, not a choice." He added, "To drive innovative change in how we work, I will support all employees in developing AI agent development capabilities."