The Ministry of Science and ICT said on the 18th it will post a notice for the "2026 artificial intelligence-centered universities (AI-centered universities) project."
The ministry will kick off the project, totaling 25.5 billion won this year, with a call for applications on the 19th. The project aims to select 10 universities to support AI talent development.
Of the 10 newly designated universities, seven will transition from existing software (SW)-centered universities, and three are universities that have not been running the SW-centered program. Transitioning universities can apply from the 19th through Feb. 25, and new universities can apply from the 19th through March 31.
Starting with selecting 10 universities this year, the ministry plans to expand AI-centered universities to 30 by 2030. Selected universities will receive up to eight years (3+3+2 years) of support at 3 billion won annually (up to 24 billion won). Regarding the AI-centered universities project, the ministry noted that "to respond to rapidly changing talent demand in the AI era, it centers on quickly establishing and strengthening AI education systems at universities by utilizing existing SW education infrastructure," adding, "the goal is to systematically nurture not only 'AI specialist talent' who develop and implement AI technologies themselves, but also 'AI transformation (AX) convergence talent' who can integrate and utilize AI technologies in their respective fields."
To prevent duplicative investment among similar projects and to quickly spread AI education at universities, the AI-centered universities project will support general four-year universities, excluding "AI hub universities" (nine regional hub national universities) and "AI colleges" (the four institutes of science and technology).
Bae Kyung-hoon, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT, said, "As our young people grow into future leaders who determine national competitiveness, universities are playing a critical role as gateways for nurturing AI talent," adding, "we will actively support the newly promoted AI-centered universities and the SW-centered universities that have achieved excellent results so far to cooperate closely to systematically nurture AI and SW core talent, and to broadly spread the value of AI education across society."