Chonnam National University vows to foster AI-powered campus
Chonnam National University and Gwangju city officials hold a meeting regarding a possible partnership. Courtesy of Chonnam National University
Chonnam National University has introduced an artificial intelligence (AI) campus transformation project that aims to embed AI tools and technology across teaching, research and administration on its campus.
Under the new initiative, the South Jeolla provincial college will make eight generative AI platforms available free of charge to all students, faculty, staff and researchers — a population of roughly 30,000. The university official said the move was designed to lower barriers to AI use and promote broad accessibility across disciplines and roles.
The eight generative AI tools now accessible on campus include ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, Claude, Grok, Llama, Mistral and Qwen. Subscribing to these services individually costs about 200,000 won ($140) per month, but Chonnam National University is providing them at no cost to all members of the campus community.
The university said the decision to institutionalize access to these platforms reflects a broader vision of what it calls “AI for All @ CNU,” and follows years of investment in AI education and infrastructure that began with the creation of the school’s AI Convergence College drive in 2019.
Unlike initiatives that confine AI to specific majors or research labs, Chonnam National University’s AI campus transformation drive seeks to make AI tools part of everyday academic and professional work.
A Chonnam National University official speaks during his presentation on the school's "Glocal University 30" vision plan at the campus, Oct. 1, 2025. Courtesy of Chonnam National University
School administrators say the initiative marks a shift in university operations that recognizes AI not only as a technical specialty but also as a utility to support routine tasks in teaching, learning, research and administration.
In classrooms, faculty members are encouraged to use AI to design syllabi, generate course content and craft assessment items. Students are expected to integrate these tools when researching, writing papers, developing projects and refining career plans. Faculty leaders have emphasized that the goal is to build real-world AI fluency as part of academic development.
On the school’s research front, the university said AI will be available to support tasks from idea generation and data analysis to the drafting of research manuscripts, with the aim of enhancing productivity and competitiveness.
For administrative functions, including tasks like meeting minutes, draft correspondence and routine reports, AI tools are positioned as time-saving resources that can streamline workflows.
“Chonnam National University’s AI transition is not limited to software access,” the school official said. “It also includes expanding educational programs for faculty to help them become proficient in AI technologies and integrate those tools responsibly in their work and teaching. It is rolling out workshops, online training and guidelines on ethical, legal and privacy considerations associated with AI use.”
The official added the that the AI campus transformation initiative is part of the larger Glocal University 30 framework led by Korea’s Ministry of Education, which supports high-potential regional universities in becoming drivers of local and global innovation.
Chonnam National University was named a Glocal University 30 institution in September. As part of this designation, the university is slated to receive approximately 22 billion won ($15.3 million) in funding over five years, including resources for education incentives, research programs, job creation and graduate support.
Chonnam National University officials discuss the school's Glocal University 30 vision at a meeting on campus. Courtesy of Chonnam National University
The school’s strategic plan under the Glocal University 30 framework highlights two core priorities: fostering “human-centered AI” education through multidisciplinary learning and building AI-enhanced programs aligned with regional economic strengths, including the mobility and manufacturing sectors.
The plan also calls for additional AI-related faculty, new integrated academic tracks spanning bachelor’s through doctorate levels, while also expanding campus access for students from diverse academic backgrounds.
“The AI transformation builds on a track record of innovation stemming from the university’s early establishment of an AI-focused college — a first among Korean higher education institutions,” the official said.
“Since its inception, our AI Convergence College drive has grown in faculty and scope, hosting more than 100 dedicated professors and forging links between AI and fields such as energy, biotechnology, mobility and cultural content.”
Chonnam National University highlighted that graduates from the AI program have gone on to careers in major corporations, public institutions and research labs, with many pursuing advanced degrees, which the university cites as evidence of the program’s effectiveness in supplying skilled professionals to Korea’s evolving tech economy.
“The school’s vision of AI is not just a discipline but a capability that should be woven into the fabric of campus life, equipping students and faculty alike with tools to succeed in a changing global landscape,” Chonnam National University President Lee Geun-bae said in a press release.
“Our goal is to make AI an everyday tool that empowers everyone at Chonnam National University, driving innovation that contributes both locally and internationally.”
Chonnam National University officials pose with their counterparts from KT during their memorandum of understanding signing ceremony on campus, July 22, 2025. Courtesy of Chonnam National University