South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT is starting the 17th training course of the AI·SW Maestro programme to foster advanced talent in artificial intelligence and software.

The ministry, together with the Institute for Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation and the Federation of Korean Information Industries, held a launch ceremony on Monday at Seoul Dragon City for trainees at the programme's Seoul centre in 2026.

AI·SW Maestro is a talent development programme that selects trainees with ability and passion in AI and software and provides expert mentoring through completion of projects. From 2010 through the 16th class last year, it has trained a total of 2,096 advanced professionals, and 149 startups have been founded by graduates.

Among graduate-founded startups, Elice Group was named to the world's best edtech companies selected by U.S. magazine Time. Dlight Room was selected for four consecutive years as a high-growth company in the Asia-Pacific region in a list published by the Financial Times in Britain.

At the event, the programme marked the start of training for the 17th-class trainees at the Seoul centre and awarded certificates in the deputy prime minister's name to 20 top performers from the 16th class for strong results last year. Appointment letters were also given to newly joined mentors.

From this year, the programme established a Busan centre to provide training opportunities to regional talent. The Seoul centre received 2,068 applications and selected 300 trainees, while the Busan centre received 919 applications and selected 150. The competition rate was about 6.9 to 1 for Seoul and about 6.1 to 1 for Busan.

The final trainees completed team formation and project planning through a two-month preliminary training period. Over the next six months, they will work with fellow trainees, receive expert mentoring and develop projects at the level of actual services.

Lee Do-gyu (이도규), director-general for information and communications policy at the ministry, said, "In an era in which we must collaborate with countless AI agents, top-level AI talent that can coordinate them like an orchestra is important," adding, "We will support trainees so they can grow into global leaders who lead the AI era."