KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) is transforming into a 'model for AI education innovation.' All majors will be integrated with AI, and AI will be comprehensively introduced across all administrative functions. Cooperation with industry will also be strengthened, centered on AI and physical AI.
On the 10th, KAIST President Bae Chung-sik unveiled these strategies at the inauguration ceremony for the 18th president held at the main auditorium of KAIST in Yuseong-gu, Daejeon. On this day, President Bae delivered his inaugural address through a presentation on future strategy.
The five future strategies announced by President Bae are: △AI beyond AI for all △Innovative research and entrepreneurship △An efficient and open university △Environmental sustainability and long-term viability △Global outreach and future orientation. In particular, AI will be actively introduced across all education. President Bae stated, "KAIST will become a model for AX (AI transformation) education innovation," adding, "We will redesign the curriculum so that all students can understand and utilize AI, and enable faculty to use AI for teaching and learning assessment." All majors within KAIST are subject to this transformation.
An 'AI utilization grading system' will also be introduced. This system categorizes educational programs into three levels based on the degree of AI usage and assigns grades to all courses. It is expected to range from 'basic education,' where AI usage is relatively low, to 'AI-led education,' where students directly design AI systems. Additionally, KAIST plans to establish an AI autonomous laboratory (AI AutoKnowmerce Lab) in partnership with domestic and international companies. Last month, KAIST already opened a joint AI research institute and the 'Human-Physical Intelligence Technology Center' focused on physical AI in collaboration with NVIDIA.
Large-scale research in quantum and environmental energy fields will also become more active. President Bae stated, "While supporting long-term basic science research, we will also encourage large-scale research planning," adding, "We will establish the Quantum Research Institute and the Climate Energy Research Institute to advance national strategic technologies and science and technology."
The proportion of international students and faculty will also increase. President Bae said, "We will attract high-quality foreign students through a dual-degree system to significantly increase the ratio of international students." He further added, "To expand the participation of distinguished foreign scholars in thesis evaluations, we will establish a global advisory board."
Administration will be streamlined by introducing AI. President Bae stated, "We will eliminate various regulations and develop a one-stop system utilizing AI so that faculty and students can focus entirely on research." He also said, "We will provide various benefits and literacy training, including an 'AI Innovation Incentive' for staff who lead AI innovation."
Meanwhile, at the inauguration ceremony, Vice Minister of Science and ICT Park Geon-hoon stated, "The R&D budget next year is expected to increase further, with significant investment centered on AI," adding, "We anticipate a major declaration related to science and technology in the near future." He continued, "The government firmly believes that South Korea can stand and develop only when science and technology take center stage," and expressed hope that KAIST will fulfill this role.
in TECH
