Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the areas that Kookmin University (President Jeong Seung Ryul) is focusing on to strengthen its competitiveness in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Its efforts are paying off. The university has been selected as a target university for the 'Generation AI Leading Talent Training Project' implemented by the Ministry of Science and ICT.

The Generation AI Leading Talent Training Project is an industry-academia-government cooperative education project established this year to provide timely supply of specialized human resources needed for the development of the domestic generation AI industry. The project period is until 2027, and out of a total budget of 14.5 billion won, the research and education council, which includes Kookmin University, will receive 7.25 billion won.

Kookmin University is a member of the council, along with Vibe Company (CEO Kim Sung Eon), Seoul National University, Yonsei University, and Korea University. Korea University, and others to establish a close cooperation system between industries through company-led and market-oriented research and actively foster human resources with world-class generative AI R&D capabilities.

To this end, the company plans to conduct various industry-academia collaborations, including training courses to foster field-tailored experts based on its own generative AI. In particular, we plan to discover and carry out three or more industry-academia projects using generative AI; operate a mid-term dispatch of outstanding researchers to Vibe Company and a mid- to long-term dispatch R&D support program to leading overseas institutions; develop and operate demand-based generative AI-specific curricula and research programs; and share R&D environments and infrastructure of leading companies such as high-performance GPUs. Through this, it will create a case that can set a new standard for higher education.

“In order to promote the domestic ecosystem of generative AI, which is attracting attention as a high-growth market, it is essential to secure leading technology competitiveness, and it is of utmost importance to proactively cultivate specialized talents that the market wants,” said Professor Lee Jae Koo of the Department of Artificial Intelligence, the lead researcher at Kookmin University. “Based on this project, we will strengthen our university's generative AI technology and education, as well as related career paths and employment competitiveness.”

The effort to compete in the AI industry is no exception in the field of fine arts. Kookmin University's College of Art and Design, one of Korea's leading design schools, established an AI Design Department in 2022. The department aims to combine knowledge and emotion to create innovative outputs that conventional scientists and designers could not have imagined. In April, the department held a presentation to showcase its achievements since its establishment.

“At Kookmin University's AI Design Department, we focus on cultivating integrated thinking skills that can converge future technologies and environments, rather than simply teaching techniques to handle tools,” said Dr. Lee Sang Hwan, professor of AI Design at Kookmin University and director of the Techno Design Institute.

“With the rapid development of AI technology, humanistic thinking skills with creativity and imagination are becoming a criterion for the competitiveness of future video content,” said Jeong Seung Ryul. “Kookmin University will continue to strive to foster convergent talents with a combination of humanities, engineering, and artistic skills to keep up with this.”

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