EduAsiaNews, Seoul — The South Korean government is expanding the development of artificial intelligence (AI)-focused universities as part of its strategy to prepare future talent. The Ministry of Science and Information and Communication Technology (Science and ICT) announced on Saturday (Jan. 18) the launch of the 2026 AI-centered universities project aimed at strengthening higher education systems in the field of AI.
In the initial phase, the government will select 10 universities to receive support for the development of AI education, with a total budget of 25.5 billion won allocated for this year. Of these, seven universities will transition from existing software-centered universities, while three others will be institutions that have not previously operated similar programs.
The application process opens on January 19, with deadlines set for February 25 for transitioning universities and March 31 for new applicant institutions. The government aims to expand the number of AI-centered universities to 30 by 2030. Each selected university may receive support for up to eight years, with funding of approximately 3 billion won per year.
The ministry emphasized that the program is designed to respond swiftly to changing workforce demands in the AI era by utilizing existing software education infrastructure. Beyond producing AI specialists capable of developing technologies, the initiative also seeks to nurture AI transformation (AX) convergence talent—graduates who can integrate and apply AI technologies across diverse academic and professional fields.
Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT Bae Kyung-hoon stated that universities play a critical role as gateways in preparing young people to become future leaders who will determine national competitiveness. According to him, the government will actively support AI-centered universities and high-performing software-centered universities to work closely together in systematically cultivating core AI and software talent and in broadly spreading the value of AI education throughout society. (*)
