KAIST announces AI-driven innovation strategy and campus transformation

KAIST President Bae Chung-sik has unveiled a comprehensive five-part innovation strategy titled the ‘Beyond Series’ to transform the institution into an ‘AI Native Campus.’ The plan aims to integrate artificial intelligence across all facets of the university, including education, research, entrepreneurship, administration, and campus operations.

Key educational reforms include redesigning all curricula into three AI-utilization levels, ensuring students can move from basic human reasoning to designing and leading AI systems. Research efforts will expand into ‘Physical AI’—covering autonomous driving, robotics, and smart factories—as well as convergence fields like AI-energy, AI-quantum, and AI-bio. To bridge the gap between academia and industry, KAIST plans to establish ‘AI Autonomous Labs’ and ‘Satellite Labs’ in collaboration with corporations.

A significant component of the strategy is the emphasis on entrepreneurship, with training beginning as early as the first semester for freshmen. To support this, Naver founder Lee Hae-jin and Krafton Chairman Jang Byung-gyu are set to participate in the university’s Entrepreneurship Education Innovation Committee, which is scheduled to begin operations in September.