The Ministry of Science and ICT said on July 2 it will announce a project to convert eight software-focused universities outside the Seoul metropolitan area into AI-focused universities.

The application period runs from July 3 to Aug. 4. The government plans to support region-led AI transformation and train AI talent specialised in local industries at an early stage.

Selected universities must pursue core tasks including innovation in university AI education and institutional improvements, operation of specialised curricula, support for AI transformation in local industries and promotion of AI start-ups. They must also run curricula reflecting local industry demand and draw up measures to support employment and start-ups for young local AI talent.

To help students lead AI transformation in local industries, the programme will build AI education infrastructure such as tokens for hands-on training. It will also run project-based education using data from inside and outside universities.

The ministry plans to use the project to expand the foundation for developing local AI talent and support balanced regional development.

An information session will be held at 2 p.m. on July 14 at the headquarters of the Institute of Information and Communications Technology Planning and Evaluation in Daejeon.