The Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) announced Monday that it has selected seven of 10 universities to participate in its new artificial intelligence (AI)-focused university program this year.
The universities selected in this round were chosen from existing software (SW)-focused universities transitioning to AI-focused universities. The remaining three universities will be selected from institutions that are not currently SW-focused universities, with the announcement expected in June.
The seven transitioning universities finalized in this round are Gachon University, Korea University, Sogang University, Sungkyunkwan University, Soonchunhyang University, Soongsil University, and Yonsei University.
The AI-focused university program aims to rapidly establish and advance AI-centered education systems within universities by leveraging existing SW education infrastructure, in response to surging demand for talent driven by the spread of AI technology. To broadly cultivate "AI specialists" capable of deeply understanding, developing, and utilizing AI technology, as well as "AX convergence talent" able to apply AI to their respective majors, the selected universities will receive up to 24 billion won in total over a maximum of eight years (approximately 3 billion won per university annually).
Selected universities will advance AI education innovation on campus centered on four core tasks of the AI-focused university program: AI education innovation and institutional reform; operation of specialized curricula aligned with AI technology demand; support for AX transformation in specialized industries and AI startup activation; and strengthening the role as a core hub for spreading AI values.
Specific implementation plans include establishing a dedicated organization under the direct supervision of the university president to oversee AI and AX education, opening AI convergence bridge courses, providing AI fundamentals and application education for all students, identifying and executing problem-solving projects through industry collaboration, and operating student-led creative projects.
The aim is to enhance the expertise of AI and SW majors while also strengthening non-majors' understanding of AI and their ability to apply it.
In addition, through the AI·SW-Focused University Council, in which 57 domestic universities currently participate, the ministry plans to share educational outcomes with SW-focused universities and spread the results of AI education innovation across Korean universities more broadly.
"AI is rapidly spreading across industries and daily life, so it is time for university education to also undergo new changes centered on AI," Bae Kyung-hoon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT, said. "We will actively support universities to lead AI education innovation based on the SW education capabilities they have built up, and ensure that AI-focused universities contribute to spreading educational value throughout local communities."
