Jung Da-hyun is a reporter at The Korea Times, covering social issues in Korea, including foreign residents, education, environment and politics. Driven by a deep interest in people’s stories, she focuses on investigative and feature reporting through direct interviews and field coverage. She received the Amnesty International Korea Media Award for her “Deepfake Crisis at Schools” series. Reach her at dahyun08@koreatimes.co.kr. Always open to hearing your stories.
Gov’t expands university-led AI, digital training for working adults
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By Jung Da-hyun
The Ministry of Education and the National Institute for Lifelong Education said Friday that they will significantly expand an intensive artificial intelligence (AI) and digital retraining program for employed people and adult learners this year.
The “AI and digital intensive course” is a project that supports adult learners, including employees, in strengthening practical AI and digital capabilities through programs that draw on universities’ expertise and resources.
Launched in 2025, the initiative provides workplace-focused training courses developed and operated by participating universities.
In its first year, 30 universities participated and operated training courses tailored to AI and digital job skills needed across various sectors, including sales, education, finance, architecture, and design and manufacturing. A total of 11,683 learners took part in the program.
This year, the number of participating institutions is expected to expand to around 38 universities, according to the education ministry.
The universities selected to offer the program will be announced in May, following a screening process.
Those seeking to enroll in intensive courses operated by universities newly selected for 2026 are expected to be able to register from August to September, after course development is completed.
Participants will be able to build practical AI and digital skills relevant to their job fields and, upon completing the course and passing an evaluation, receive a digital certificate issued in the name of the university president.
“We will continue to provide support so that incumbent workers can easily build AI and digital competencies related to their jobs after work,” Vice Education Minister Choi Eun-ok said.