South Korean academics call for AI and climate-focused education reform

Experts in South Korea are calling for a transformation in higher education to address the intersection of artificial intelligence and the climate crisis. During a National Assembly forum, Kim Jun-beom, a professor at Seoul National University of Science and Technology, argued that current university systems, designed for 20th-century industrial needs, are ill-equipped for the complexities of climate AI. He proposed a shift toward problem-centered and field-oriented curricula that integrate climate science, AI technology, and policy.

Kim emphasized that the role of professors must evolve from simple knowledge transmitters to educational designers and industry connectors. He suggested a long-term national strategy to create a virtuous cycle of talent supply and demand in the climate AI sector.

In a related development regarding science education in the AI era, Cho Sook-kyung, a professor at the Korea Institute of Energy Technology, has had her book, ‘Science and Culture in the AI Era’, selected as a 2026 Sejong Academic Book. The book, recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, explores how to integrate advanced technology into education and emphasizes the importance of social acceptance and communication between science and society to foster humanistic insight among STEM students.