The Ministry of Education will support AI curriculum development at 20 universities so that all college students, regardless of major, can build basic AI competencies. Pictured is a simulated AI class for students in the humanities and arts. [Created with ChatGPT]
The Ministry of Education will support AI curriculum development at 20 universities so that all college students, regardless of major, can build basic AI competencies. Pictured is a simulated AI class for students in the humanities and arts. [Created with ChatGPT]

South Korea's Ministry of Education will support AI curriculum development at 20 universities to ensure that all college students, regardless of major, can build foundational AI competencies.

The Ministry of Education and the Korean Council for University Education announced Monday that they will hold a launch ceremony for the "2026 University AI Core Curriculum Development Support Project."

The project is designed to help universities develop AI liberal arts courses and AI-application minor tracks for students outside engineering programs. Participating institutions will also designate dedicated units — such as teaching and learning development centers — to run programs that strengthen AI education capabilities among non-specialist faculty and instructors.

This year's total budget is 6.36 billion won ($4.22 million), with each of the 20 selected universities receiving 300 million won. The project runs for a base period of one year, with a one-year extension available depending on performance.

The 20 selected universities include six in the Greater Seoul metropolitan area — Duksung Women's University, Dongguk University, Seoul Women's University, Sejong University, Yongin University and Hankuk University of Foreign Studies — and 14 outside it: Konkuk University Glocal Campus, Kyungwoon University, Gyeongkuk National University, Hanbat National University, Dongguk University WISE Campus, Tongmyong University, Dongseo University, Dongshin University, Dong-eui University, Busan University of Foreign Studies, Songwon University, Jeonju University, Changshin University and Halla University.

AI-focused curricula are set to be introduced in humanities, social science and physical education programs, including Dongguk University's Department of Political Science and Diplomacy, Dongguk University's Department of Social Welfare, Sejong University's Department of Physics and Astronomy, Sejong University's Department of Business Administration, Yongin University's Department of Adapted Physical Education and Yongin University's Department of Police Administration.

The ministry plans to share the curricula developed by participating universities with other institutions to broaden the initiative's reach. At the launch ceremony, Seoul Women's University and Dongguk University's WISE Campus will present their project strategies and curriculum development plans.

"AI education is a challenge that entire universities must tackle together, not just specific departments," said Lee Yun-hong, director general of the ministry's AI Talent Support Bureau. "We will provide support so that the 20 universities can grow through collaboration and spread their achievements across all universities."


brunch@heraldcorp.com