Four universities to be selected to develop convergence-focused specialists
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced Monday it is launching a competition to select universities that will train specialists capable of integrating AI and smart city technologies to strengthen the competitiveness of future cities.
The "AI and Smart City Innovation Talent Development Project" (2026–2028), open to four-year universities nationwide starting Tuesday, marks the fourth phase of a program the ministry has run since 2009, through which it has trained 10,091 professionals as of last year.
As AI technology spreads across all areas of urban life, the project aims to deepen the quality of training by focusing on developing "practice-ready professionals" with combined expertise in AI and smart city applications.
Four universities will be selected in total. Eligible institutions are four-year universities that already operate AI- or smart city-related departments, or that can establish a dedicated AI and smart city curriculum by linking two or more departments. Selected universities will receive support covering scholarships, domestic and overseas internships, and industry-academia collaboration costs.
Applications must be submitted to the Korea Agency for Infrastructure Technology Advancement between Oct. 28 and Oct. 29.
Yun Jong-su, director of the ministry's Urban Economy Division, said the AI city represents "a new model of the future city that takes the smart city one step further." He added that the ministry would "actively support the development of convergence-type talent so that Korea can secure leadership in the global AI city competition," describing the field as critical to the competitiveness of both the nation and its cities.
smh@heraldcorp.com
