Sungkyunkwan University has launched the AI Finance Research Institute, a specialized center combining artificial intelligence and fintech research. The university aims to proactively cultivate talent in response to changing financial markets, including the rise of stablecoins.
According to Seoul Economic Daily on the 2nd, Sungkyunkwan University recently opened the AI Finance Research Institute. The institute aims to lead financial innovation and train specialized talent by converging emerging technologies such as AI, data science, and blockchain with finance. Professor Song Kyo-jik of Sungkyunkwan University's Fintech Convergence program serves as director.
Stablecoins, a major payment method, have grown rapidly since last year. According to market research firm Artemis Analytics, global stablecoin transaction volume exceeded $33 trillion last year. Bloomberg Intelligence projects global stablecoin payment volume could reach $56 trillion by 2030.
Related legislation is also advancing domestically. The Democratic Party of Korea's Digital Asset Task Force plans to introduce the Digital Asset Basic Act (second-phase legislation) early this month.
In addition to the AI Finance Research Institute, Sungkyunkwan University established the AI Semiconductor Innovation Research Institute, AI Plus K-Construction Infrastructure Resilience Research Center, and Computational Humanities Research Institute late last year, accelerating its AI initiatives.
As AI becomes an irreversible global trend, major Korean universities are establishing AI committees or expanding related investments. Korea University recently officially launched the Next Intelligence Committee as its AI control tower. Seoul National University established an AI committee proactively in 2019, while Yonsei University operates an AI Fintech program in its Graduate School of Information. Kyung Hee University and Soongsil University also launched AI committees last year.