Education

CONFERENCE 'We are continually defining what AI talent and players will be needed'

Education experts and industry leaders called on universities to fundamentally rethink their roles in the era of artificial intelligence (AI), emphasizing that higher education must shift from traditional knowledge transmission to cultivating human-centered skills such as critical thinking, ethical responsibility and problem definition. Speaking at the first panel discussion of the 2026 Korea Times Global Conference, titled “Beyond AI: Building human-centered leadership for next era,” panelists said that universities need to update their courses fast and try new things to keep up with rapid tech changes. The session, titled "The human edge of AI: Reimagining global competitiveness in Korean universities," focused on how academic institutions can build human-centered AI campuses by integrating technology into education, research and the overall student experience. Moderated by Choi Jae-boong, professor of interdisciplinary AI service design at Sungkyunkwan University, the discussion also highlighted the need to maximize human capabilities that AI cannot replace while deepening indust

PHOTOS 2026 Korea Times Global Conference

Korea Times Vice Chairman Seung Ji-soo, front row seventh from right, applauds with dignitaries and speakers during a VIP session ahead of the 2026 Korea Times Global Conference at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry building in Seoul, Tuesday. Front row from right are British Ambassador to Korea Colin Crooks, Seoul National University of Science and Technology President Kim Dong-hwan, Jeonbuk National University President Yang O-bong, Sungkyunkwan University President Yoo Ji-beom, Ewha Womans University President Lee Hyang-sook, Sangmyung University President Kim Chong-hee, Seung, National Assembly's Education Committee Chairperson Rep. Kim Hee-jung, Sookmyung Women's University President Moon Si-yeun, Korea University President Kim Dong-one, Chonnam National University President Lee Keun-bae and Chinese Ambassador to Korea Dai Bing. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

CONFERENCE Higher education leaders call on universities to nurture human strengths in AI era

The Ministry of Education on Tuesday laid out a vision for universities to nurture students who can harness artificial intelligence (AI) while developing the distinctly human qualities needed to lead a rapidly changing society. The vision took center stage at the 2026 Korea Times Global Conference, titled “Beyond AI: Building human-centered leadership for next era,” highlighting the role of universities in nurturing a workforce capable of leading the AI era. “As AI advances, human capabilities — such as asking questions, thinking independently, making sound judgments and working with others — will become increasingly important,” Education Minister Choi Kyo-jin said in remarks delivered on his behalf by ministry spokesperson Jeong Byoung-ik. He said universities must play a central role in the AI era by generating new knowledge, bridging disciplines and technologies and preparing the next generation of workers to lead change. The ministry vowed to support universities in their efforts to adapt and innovate, stressing that investment in higher education is an investment in the

CONFERENCE 'Untutored AI will be disaster,' KCL president says

Universities must ensure that people work with artificial intelligence (AI) and not for it, King’s College London Vice-Chancellor and President Shitij Kapur said, calling for a fundamental rethink of learning, employment preparation and the public purpose of higher education in the age of AI. Delivering a keynote speech at the 2026 Korea Times Global Conference, titled “Beyond AI: Building human-centered leadership for next era,” Kapur said universities face a defining task: shaping how AI affects education, work, research and society as a whole, rather than simply adapting to the technology’s commercial imperatives. “The slogan for universities, and dare I say, for humanity has to be that we will work with AI and not for AI,” he said in his online address from London on Tuesday. He argued that AI will not produce a single universal future, as countries will develop and apply AI according to their own needs and ambitions. Still, he said, universities everywhere have five central responsibilities: redefining the essence of learning, preparing graduates for a changing labor ma

CONFERENCE Universities must rethink curricula instead of restricting students' use of AI, professor says

Choi Jae-boong, professor of interdisciplinary AI service design at Sungkyunkwan University, said education in the era of artificial intelligence (AI) should focus on cultivating humanity, while universities should move away from simply trying to restrict students’ use of AI and instead rethink how their curricula are designed. Choi shared such visions during his keynote speech at the 2026 Korea Times Global Conference at Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry building in Seoul, Tuesday. Under the theme of “Beyond AI: building human-centered leadership for the next era,” he stressed that AI innovation is an inevitable future and that both leadership and education must undergo a fundamental shift to prepare for it. “Many Big Tech companies carried out layoffs over the past several years, but when I looked at their headcounts again earlier this year, they had increased because the companies were hiring more AI talent,” Choi said. “However, the focus of Korean universities last year and even this year was how to prevent students from using AI to do their assignments. Almost no

CONFERENCE Lawmaker, envoys call for human-centered education as AI advances

A lawmaker and foreign ambassadors set the tone for The Korea Times Global Conference in Seoul, Tuesday, with congratulatory speeches highlighting the importance of education and human capabilities in the artificial intelligence (AI) era. The conference, held under the theme "Beyond AI: Building human-centered leadership for next era," brought together academics and industry representatives at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry building to discuss how universities should redefine education and leadership as AI reshapes society. Rep. Kim Hee-jung of People Power Party, chairperson of the National Assembly's Education Committee, said the conference addresses the core themes we should focus on, adding that as technology advances, the answer increasingly lies with people. "Education is what builds human strength," Kim said. "Technologies once unimaginable are now becoming reality, and evolving faster than we ever imagined. To lead that change rather than letting it lead us, we need to think harder and move faster." Kim added that she would listen more closely to voices from the field

Jeonnam-Gwangju universities launch semiconductor majors ahead of planned tech cluster

Universities in southwestern Korea are stepping up efforts to cultivate talent for emerging industries as government and private sector plans to build semiconductor and artificial intelligence (AI) clusters in the area take shape. Universities across Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Metropolitan City, including Chonnam National University, are launching new programs and expanding training in semiconductor and AI-related fields, backed by the government’s broader push to strengthen regional universities. Chonnam National University, recently selected for the government’s “10 Seoul National Universities” initiative, plans to establish a new college specializing in advanced industries with an annual intake of 300 students. Starting in March 2028, the college will offer programs in advanced semiconductors and future energy. The university also plans to provide student support comparable to that of Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) as it seeks to nurture researchers for future industries. It will expand educati

2026 KOREA TIMES GLOBAL CONFERENCE Profiles of speakers and panelists

'Yacha rules' in Korea: Students film, sell videos of forced fights amid record school violence

In Korea, the share of elementary school students reporting school violence reached a record 5.7 percent. The overall rate of reported school violence across elementary, middle and high schools hit 2.9 percent, the highest level since the survey began. Educators are increasingly concerned as serious forms of school violence, such as the so-called "yacha rules" and forced fights, become more frequent. The Ministry of Education and 16 regional education offices announced Wednesday the results of the 2026 first-round survey on school violence, which covered approximately 3.9 million students in the fourth through 12th grades. The ministry conducted the online survey covering all eligible students over four weeks starting in April, with approximately 3.19 million, or 81.9 percent, participating. The overall share of students reporting school violence stood at 2.9 percent, up 0.4 percentage points from the first-round survey last year. This marks the highest level since the education ministry began surveying all eligible students in 2013. After dropping to 0.9 percent in 2020 due to the susp

InterviewSocial media bans alone won't protect children, Korea's youth agency chief says

As governments around the world move to restrict children’s access to social media and smartphones, the head of Korea’s leading youth affairs agency says blanket age-based bans should not be the centerpiece of youth protection in the digital and artificial intelligence (AI) era. Kim Jin-sang, who became president of the Korea Youth Work Agency (KYWA) last month, said stronger safeguards and greater platform accountability are essential. But he believes the more fundamental solution is helping young people manage risks and make responsible choices for themselves. “Restrictions alone cannot solve young people’s digital problems,” Kim told The Korea Times in a recent interview. “We must equip them with the ability to assess information and risks for themselves, manage their digital use, critically assess algorithms and online content and act responsibly.” His remarks come amid intensifying global debate over how to protect young children online. Last year, Australia became the first country to require major social media platforms to prevent users under 16 from creating or mai