Chapter 1: AI 2026: The Beginning of the True Big Bang

[Trend 1] The Dawn of a New War: The End of ChatGPT's Dominance
The anticipation that was like a nuclear bomb | Expectations turn to disappointment | Google's resurrection, the sleeping lion awakens | Antropic's rapid rise, the hidden powerhouse in the B2B market | Elon Musk's speed war: Grok, "Is this possible?" | Lessons from IT history: Why did Netscape disappear? | The prelude to a new war: The confidence that "we can still do it!" | What is OpenAI's new direction? - A leap forward as a platform service company | Act 2 of the AI ​​war, questions for the future

[Trend 2] Physical AI Steps Into the Real World
Revisiting the Four Stages of AI Development | AI is Evolving in Parallel | The Physical AI Revolution: A Day in the Life of an Amazon Warehouse in 2025 | Generative AI: Solving the Challenges of Robot Development | The Vast Physical AI Ecosystem: Tesla and NVIDIA | The Future of Industry: Dark Factories and World Models | Tokens and Data Factories | Liberation of Form: The Era of Robot Diversity | Physical AI and the Power of Acquisition | Physical AI in the Future of Industrial Settings | The Potential of Physical AI in Korea | Humanities, Philosophy, and Uniquely Human Values

[Trend 3] Small but mighty: The compact model revolution
Edge AI, On-Device AI, Vertical AI
The Dawn of the Small Model Revolution: The DeepSec Shock | Open-Source AI and the Public Release of Inference | The Era of Small and Light Models: Edge AI and the On-Device AI Revolution | Small but Mighty Giants: Small and Light Models and the Efficiency Revolution | The Open-Source AI Competition: Changing the Rules of the Game | Vertical AI: A New Paradigm Where Expertise and Data Meet

[Trend 4] AI that remembers me and speaks first: The beginning of everyday AI.
Why Does AI Try to Remember Users? - The Lock-in Effect | AI Makes First Offers: Personalized Briefings | What Will Generative AI Look Like in 2026? | The Beginning of the Golden Age of Agent Browsers

[Trend 5] The New Normal in Search: The Era of AI-Driven Selection
_MCP and A2A, multi-AI agents, agent e-commerce, the era of zero clicks, and AI search optimization (AIEO).
The proliferation of multi-AI agents | MCP and A2A: How AI agents think and collaborate | The rise of agent e-commerce | The era of AI-to-AI negotiation: AI Agent Optimization (AAO) | The era of zero clicks | The AI ​​search revolution: From indirect suggestions to direct answers | Beyond search engine optimization (SEO) to AI search optimization (AIEO) | The spread of the AI ​​selection era—from government policy to recruitment | Finding balance amidst change

[Trend 6] The Light and Shadow of the AI ​​Companion Era
The Dawn of the AI ​​Companion Era: The Ghibli Effect | The Secret of AI Companions' Allure | The Emergence of New Relationships: Various AI Companion Services | The Shadow of AI Companionship | Sweet Poison, Flattering AI | AI Companies' Steps for Healthy Companionships | For Wise Companionships in the AI ​​Era

[Trend 7] The Solopreneur Revolution: A New Ecosystem Created by AI
In the AI ​​era, entrepreneurship and business models are changing | Data proves the era of the solopreneur | A new leap forward for Korea's one-person unicorns | Tectonic shifts in the labor market: new opportunities and challenges

[Trend 8] The Era of AI-Native Organizations Has Arrived
The AI-First Philosophy of AI-Native Organizations | The 3 Stages of AI-Native Organizational Evolution: From Tool to Partner | The New Rules of Competition: Intelligence on Tap and Work Charts | What Should Individuals and Organizations Prepare for? | A 3-Step Approach to Collaborating with AI | The Importance of Handcrafted Taste: A Value That Never Changes in the AI ​​Era

[Trend 9] The AI ​​Sovereignty War: Sovereign AI
Why are we talking about sovereign AI now? | Data, the heart of sovereign AI | Beyond data: opportunities for infrastructure and domestic chips | The limits of "data push" and Korea's potential | The government's strategic roadmap | Leaping forward to become one of the top three AI powers: the government's sovereign AI strategy | Balancing global partnerships and strategic autonomy

[Trend 10] AI Governance: Balancing Regulation and Innovation
The US AI Strategy Shift: From 'Regulation' to 'Accelerating Innovation' | The Texas AI Act (TRAIGA), a Reform of the Intent-Based Accountability Framework | The EU: Building Trust Through Strong Regulation | China's Global AI Action Plan: Multilateral Cooperation vs. the US Alliance Bloc | Korean AI Governance: Balancing 'Promotion' and 'Regulation', A Human-Centered Path

Chapter 2: Mastering Three Versatile, General-Purpose AIs

Using ChatGPT-5 Smartly
Why is ChatGPT more engaging in conversation? | ChatGPT-5: What's New? | Customizing Tone and Format in ChatGPT
Find the latest information with AI web search
In-depth research, data collection, summary, and report all in one place!
Agent mode, which automates execution on my behalf.
Creating advanced images, from thumbnails to promotional posters.
Connect to Gmail, Calendar, and Drive using the connector
Automating Business News Clipping with the "Tasks" Feature
Study English with ChatGPT, Learning Mode
[Tip] Pulse, the personalized briefing AI assistant
[Tip] Create a video with just one line of text, Sora 2

Claude, evolving and focusing on his work
Claude Version at a Glance | Customize Your Speech and Format in Claude
My AI Thinking Partner, Deep Thinking Mode
Latest news and market trends, Claude Web Search
Expert-level reports in just 10 minutes, with the "Research" feature.
Connector to connect to my Gmail, Google Drive, and Calendar
See your work results at a glance! Artifact
A schedule check app in one go, research + deep thinking mode + artifacts

Google's Counterattack: Using Gemini's Evolution
Gemini 2.5 Pro and Flash at a Glance
Gemini Live: Find Your Way Through New York in Real Time
Using Gemini in Google Workspace
Deep Research: A Deep and Systematic Electric Vehicle Market Outlook
Create deep research features to create webpages and AI audio overviews.
Personalized, guided learning with Gemini
Storytelling for Creation and Learning, Storybook Gems
Voice lines, background music, and sound effects all at the same time as the video? Beo 3
Nano Banana, creating consistently high-quality images
Create 3D figures/ID photos/product promotional photos with Nano Bananas
Automatic plan/schedule creation, planner
Build custom apps without knowing a single line of code with App Builder.
[Tip] Real-time AI interpreter, Google Pixel Buds

Check common features of general AI
_Secure data settings, memory functions, and creating your own chatbot
From data setup to secure use | Tell AI about yourself | Create your own chatbot

Chapter 3 Upgrade! How to Write Prompts for Better Answers

5 Key Principles for Smart ChatGPT Prompt Use
Instruct with 'object + action verb' in the first sentence | Clarify the output format and order | Convey context as a package | Specify one key question | Enforce sources and verification
Meta prompts that enhance prompts
What is a meta prompt? | Describe the desired action and the current problem specifically | Request minimal modifications only where necessary | Specify that the output is the "modified prompt" only
Tips for Using GPT Inference Models Effectively
Using the GPT Prompt Converter
Tip: How to Use OpenAI's ChatGPT Prompt Pack
Prompt Pack for Working Professionals | Prompt Pack for College Students
Anthropic's Guide to Claude Prompt
Provide clarity, specificity, and sufficient context | Assign roles | Apply constraints | Address uncertainty and source requests
Google Gemini Prompt Guide
Step-by-step decomposition and thought process guidance | Explicitly requesting reasoning processes | Specifying formats and fixing response structures | Providing PUSAT prompts | Leveraging multimodal input and image-first placement | Writing effective AI prompts for business
[Tip] No Flattery, 6 Prompt Strategies for Healthy Communication

Chapter 4: Installing and Using Open-Source AI on Your PC

Installing EMS and Local AI on your PC
Local AI: What's so great about it? | Installing EMS on your PC | Installing Gemma 3 and Quwen 3 for local AI on your PC
Using Local AI Models on Your PC _Gemma 3, Quwen 3
Creating PPT slide proposals with local AI | Comparing responses from local AIs at MT Studio | Processing sensitive data with local AI
Korea's Open Source AI 1 _ SK Telecom A.X (AX)
Installing A.X.X 4.0 Lite | Using A.X.X 4.0 Lite on PC
Korea's Open Source AI 2 _ Naver Cloud HyperClova X Seed
Installing HyperclovaX Seed | Using HyperclovaX Seed on PC
Korea's Open Source AI 3 _ LG AI Research Center ExaOne
Installing ExaOne 4.0 32B | Using ExaOne 4.0 32B on PC
Korea's Open Source AI 4 _ Upstage Solar
Choosing the right open-source AI for your task or situation

Chapter 5: Upgrading Work Efficiency: Search-Specific AI

One click, hundreds of the latest insights, perplexity
Using Perflexity's In-Depth Research | Not a Follow-Up Article, but a Follow-Up Question: Discover | Complex Research & Data Analysis, Perflexity Lab | Creating Cafe Posters with Perflexity | Building Websites with Perflexity
From free AI search to agents, YouTube video summaries, and mind maps, Pello AI
Create your own AI search agent | YouTube video summaries & mind maps | Professional conversations made easy with Fellow's "Topic Collection" | Create stock analysis reports with Fellow templates
oo.ai knows Korea better than anyone else
Plan your domestic travel with oo.ai! Optimized responses for Koreans | Comparing ChatGPT and oo.ai responses
When you need to search for academic research materials, consensus
Get academic answers with quick questions | Get literature review-style answers, Deep Mode

Chapter 6: Agent-Specific AI for Improving Work Productivity

Zenspark, Beyond Search, a Super Agent
Expertise and in-depth knowledge, mixed agent (MoA) web search | Professional research automation, GenSpark Deep Research | Automatic presentation material generation & Super Agent in 10 minutes | AI podcast creation
From web page creation to information management, Skywalk
Create a Webpage Project | Automatically Generate Reports and Plans, Super-Intelligent Agent
Manus shows the future of autonomous AI agents.
Recommending the best tablet for you, an autonomous AI agent | Creating a one-room interior design shopping list | Developing a blog search engine optimization (SEO) strategy

Chapter 7: Office-Specific AI for Workers

Beyond PPT production, Gamma is an AI design assistant.
Automatically generate AI slides
Miricanvas, a visualization AI that even takes aesthetic sensibilities into account
Create AI images and turn them into videos in a snap! | Create a PPT template with Miriclo
Napkin AI: Massive Text Analysis and Idea Visualization
Writing & Creating Visuals | Using Napkin AI's Collaboration Features
Notebook LM, a personalized information management assistant in my drive
What's so great about the LM notebook? | Data-driven marketing trends
Creating briefing materials and audio/video outlines with a laptop LM
Turn your documents into podcasts with AI Audio Overview | Video overview for marketing, internal training, and lectures
Notion AI for strategic analysis, project planning, calendars, and checklists.
Analyze content strategy and gain insights | Create a marketing execution plan calendar and checklist | Prepare to launch an online merchandise store | Write an investment proposal with Notion AI

Chapter 8: Media-Specific AI for Images, Videos, and Music

Midjourney, an AI that brings my imagination to life
Create beautiful images with short prompts | Draw a red panda with consistent characters | Inspired by Renoir, Style Reference | Automatically reflect your favorite styles, Mood Board | Create a live-action Cinderella video from an image, V1
[Tip] How to Unstyle Your Moodboard
Excellent text rendering, desired image style, recraft
Create a logo with Recraft | Apply any image style you want.
Suno writes lyrics, composes, and sings with AI
Short-form video with a photo and a line of text, Hicksfield
Create Your Own Character | Create Short-Form Videos

Epilogue: What We Need in the AI ​​Era: Resilience

"AI 2026" (Trend & Utilization Encyclopedia) is a must-read designed to help you prepare for the "AI Big Bang Era" that will occur in 2026.
This book reflects the needs and concerns of over 50,000 people I've met through AI lectures and consulting sessions at thousands of businesses, government offices, schools, and other locations over the past three years. From AI trends and business applications to AI agents, installable AI, and even productivity AI tools tailored to specific tasks for successful professionals, this book will serve as a guide for those seeking to embrace the "AI Big Bang" in their work and personal lives.


Analysis of the latest strategies of AI big tech and predictions for AI trends in 2026 (10 keywords)

Chapter 1 analyzes the latest strategies of big tech companies such as OpenAI, Antropic, Google, and xAI for those who are quickly following the AI ​​trends that are changing the world, and focuses on AI trends for 2026.
Director Kim Deok-jin defined 2026 as the 'AI Big Bang Era: Act 2 of the AI ​​War' and named '1.
The End of the ChatGPT Dominance Era: The Prelude to a New War, Part 2. Physical AI Steps Out into the Real World, Part 3.
The Small Model Revolution: Edge AI, On-Device AI, and Vertical AI, 4.
AI that Talks First: The Beginning of Everyday AI, Part 5.
The ten themes were selected: 1. The New Normal of Search, 2. The Era of AI Selection, 3. The Era of AI Companions, 4. The New Ecosystem Created by AI: The Solopreneur Revolution, 5. AI Native Organizations, 6. The AI ​​Sovereignty War, Sovereign AI, and 7. AI Governance: The Balance Between Regulation and Innovation.
We also examine how 10 AI trends will impact our work and lives.
You will also be able to get a glimpse into the strategies of global tech companies surrounding the AI ​​market, which are reminiscent of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

Hot features of general-purpose AIs like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini, including image/video functions, are released!

Many people use general-purpose AI such as ChatGPT, Cloud, and Gemini, but surprisingly, not many people are properly utilizing the useful functions for work and study.
“Wow! ChatGPT and Gemini even have these features?” Chapter 2 introduces the versatile, cutting-edge features of general-purpose AIs such as ChatGPT, Cloud, and Gemini, along with real-world use cases.


From data research, summarization, and reporting all at once with 〈Deep Research〉, automation that runs everything on your behalf with 〈Agent Mode〉, 〈Connector〉 that connects Gmail, Calendar, and Drive, 〈Clipping Automation〉 for automatic reports on topics of interest, 〈Pulse〉, a customized briefing secretary, 〈Research〉 for expert-level reports in 10 minutes, 〈Gemini Live〉 for asking questions on a real-time screen, 〈Guided Learning〉 for customized learning with AI, 〈Storybook Gems〉 for storytelling for creation and learning, 〈App Builder〉 for creating customized apps without knowing a single line of code, etc., will be of great help in your work or studies.


Additionally, as general AI evolves into multimodal capabilities, image and video capabilities are rapidly being upgraded.
It also covers how to use the latest multimedia features of general-purpose AI, from ChatGPT's "Sora 2" that creates videos with a single line of text, to "Nano Banana" that creates highly consistent images, and "Beo 3" that creates dialogue, background music, and sound effects simultaneously with the video.

From meta prompts to prompt pack tips, it's packed with practical examples and tips.

In the past, we discussed principles based on commonalities in how language models used prompts, even though they were different. However, as each model has developed and its performance and features have diversified, it has become necessary to write them slightly differently for each model.
Chapter 3 introduces the prompt guide principles unique to ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini, as well as how to use the “Prompt Collection for Office Workers” and “Prompt Collection for College Students.”

Install and use open source AI directly on your PC

"Can we use AI to handle sensitive business information on personal PCs or laptops?" Chapter 4 introduces open-source AI that runs directly on personal PCs or laptops without an internet connection.
Not only did I learn how to install and utilize local AIs such as Gemma 3 and Quwen 3 on my PC, but I also got to experience firsthand Korea's open source AIs, AX (SK Telecom), Hyperclova Seed (Naver), ExaOne (LG), and Solar (Upstage).
It will help readers find and utilize models that fit their individual tasks, needs, and situations.


Search/Agent/Business/Media (Images, Videos, Music), and how to use 30 productivity AI tools for each task!

Kim Deok-jin, director of the IT Communication Research Institute, has compiled 30 useful generative AI tools for successful professionals, reflecting the needs of countless companies, people, and the field he has encountered over the past three years.
From office-specific AI such as Gamma, Miricanvas, Napkin, Notebook LM, and Notion AI, to in-depth research agents such as Perplexity, Fellow, and Genspark, to the hottest AIs these days like Nanobanana, Sora2, Beo3, Higgsfield, and Suno that are making people say "Wow~", Director Kim Deok-jin's unique explanation skills have made it easy and fun to use the latest AI in my work.
It would be very helpful to choose one of these that suits your work or characteristics and create your own workflow.

A must-read for office workers, college students, and parents—an encyclopedia of AI applications that you can keep handy like a dictionary.

Kim Deok-jin, an IT communicator who has been explaining and communicating technology to the public for over a decade, provides a fun and engaging explanation of AI, along with topics closely related to our lives.
Just by opening the book and following along, you'll get a sense of what AI is and how it can be applied in your work and life.
When office workers desperately need to automate tedious tasks, when writing reports feels daunting and ideas are hard to come by, when solo entrepreneurs want to save time and money, when college students write reports, and when parents help their children with their studies and performance assessments, this AI Trends & Utilization Encyclopedia will be a dictionary they can keep close at hand and always consult.