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Student Entrepreneur Inseo Chung Donates 1 Billion Won to Foster Inclusive AI Talent
< Photo of the Donation Agreement Ceremony >
KAIST announced on March 11th that Inseo Chung (28), an undergraduate student in the School of Interdisciplinary Studies and CEO of the global music-tech startup MPAG, donated 1 billion won in development funds on the 10th to foster ‘Inclusive AI’ talent. Inclusive AI talent refers to experts who research and develop AI technologies so that the socially vulnerable, including people with disabilities and the technologically marginalized, can also enjoy the benefits of AI technology.
Inseo Chung is a student entrepreneur who has dedicated himself to “solving social problems through technology” while balancing startup activities and research during his studies. Alongside his academic advisor, Professor Hyunwook Ka of the School of Interdisciplinary Studies, he has consistently researched how technology can embrace those who are marginalized.
His research, including software for the hearing impaired, studies for users requiring linguistic support in media, and bidirectional assistive technology devices for the visually and hearing impaired, has garnered attention at domestic and international conferences. This work has also led to several patent applications filed under the name of KAIST.
He founded the global music-tech startup MPAG, which operates a sheet music sales platform and AI music education service with over 4 million members worldwide, and is also developing features to provide braille sheet music for the visually impaired.
The donation will be used to establish a Master’s and Doctoral Education & Research Program in ‘AI-based Assistive Technology’ for the disabled and the technologically and socially vulnerable within the newly established KAIST AI College. This program aims to conduct research on AI-based rehabilitation assistive technology, nurture Master’s and Doctoral-level experts in the field, and build an inclusive technology ecosystem. Professor Hyunwook Ka, an expert in this field, will lead the operation and guidance of the degree program to ensure research continuity and expertise.
Inseo Chung emphasized, “As AI technology advances exponentially, it is absolutely necessary to expand into ‘Inclusive AI’ so that its benefits reach the disabled and the technologically marginalized. I am confident that through a formal graduate program, the number of experts in this field will grow, and KAIST’s specialized AI research capabilities will serve as the catalyst.”
This is not Inseo Chung’s first donation. He previously donated through the KAIST Development Foundation in 2024 and 2025 before contributing an additional 1 billion won this year. The 2024 donation was used to create the ‘Creative Workshop’ for junior students in the School of Interdisciplinary Studies to realize their creative ideas, and the 2025 donation was allocated to the School of Computing.
President Kwang Hyung Lee stated, “The decision by student Inseo Chung to donate the fruits of his startup efforts for the future of his alma mater and the realization of social values serves as a great inspiration to all members of KAIST. We will do our best to nurture inclusive AI talent so that the benefits of technology can spread throughout society, honoring the donor’s intent.”
2026.03.11 View 1462 -
Three Generations of ‘Giving DNA’ Meets ‘KAIST DNA’
KAIST announced on February 26th that it has received 5.06 billion KRW in development funds, embodying the noble spirit of sharing from a single family. This donation is particularly meaningful as it was completed across three generations: rooted in a grandmother’s legacy, the father decided on the donation, and the daughter put that intention into action.
The donor stated, “I hope the research achievements of KAIST’s young scientists shine brighter than the donor’s name,” and declined all appointment ceremonies or honorary events where their name would be revealed. In accordance with the donor’s wishes, all procedures were conducted simply, and their identity will remain private.
The donor, a Seoul resident in their 70s, achieved success by building a business based on the legacy of their mother, who practiced sharing throughout her life. Recently, they decided to return a portion of their mother’s legacy to society. Having grown up watching their mother practice benevolence, donating was a natural choice. This decision was finalized through the daughter’s concrete execution. The donor’s daughter played a leading role in the entire donation process, serving as a bridge to pass the family’s spirit of sharing down to the next generation.
The donor remarked, “The sharing my mother practiced her whole life was our family’s greatest asset. Now, together with my daughter, I wish to pass that precious value to the leading figures of Korean science.” They added, “If this fund can provide practical help to young scholars, that alone is a sufficiently rewarding thing.”
Our university has decided to establish the ‘Cho Gi-yeop Next-Generation Research Leader Fellowship,’ named after the donor’s mother. The ‘Cho Gi-yeop Fellowship’ is designed as a principal-preserved fund, where the 5 billion KRW principal is maintained and the program is operated using the investment returns. Additionally, expressing the wish to “support young scientists as soon as possible,” the donor contributed an extra 60 million KRW for the first year of the program’s implementation.
Accordingly, starting this year, three ‘Cho Gi-yeop Fellows’ will be selected annually and supported with 20 million KRW each in academic activity expenses for three years. The fellowship is aimed at junior faculty members, specifically assistant and associate professors before tenure. This period is a ‘golden time’ when research capabilities grow explosively and innovative achievements are concentrated, but it is also a time when securing stable research funding is desperately needed. The support funds will be used to enhance research autonomy and scalability, such as for challenging research planning, international academic activities, and the expansion of research infrastructure. KAIST expects this fellowship to serve as a practical foundation for young researchers to make a global leap forward.
2026.02.26 View 1306 -
KAIST Proposes a Multinational AI Cooperation Strategy Beyond U.S.–China Dominance
2026.01.19 View 2153 -
Chairman Jae-Chul Kim of Dongwon Group Donates a Total of 60.3 Billion Won to KAIST
<Jae-Chul Kim, Honorary Chairman of Dongwon Group>
"In the era of AI, a new future lies within the sea of data. I ask that KAIST leaps forward to become the world's No. 1 AI research group." — Jae-Chul Kim, Honorary Chairman of Dongwon Group
KAIST announced on January 16th that Honorary Chairman Jae-Chul Kim of Dongwon Group has pledged an additional 5.9 billion KRW in development funds to foster Artificial Intelligence (AI) talent and strengthen research infrastructure, bringing his total contribution to 60.3 billion KRW. This marks his second additional donation since 2020, continuing his steadfast support for strengthening South Korea's national competitiveness in the field of AI.
Through his initial donation in 2020, Chairman Kim established the 'Kim Jaechul Graduate School of AI' at KAIST, urging the university to secure world-class capabilities. Upon hearing that KAIST’s AI research level ranked 5th among global universities over the past five years (2020–2024), Chairman Kim requested that the university strive to reach the No. 1 spot in the world.
In response, President Kwang Hyung Lee explained, "To surpass Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), which is currently evaluated as the world’s best with an AI faculty of about 45, the KAIST Graduate School of AI needs to expand its faculty to over 50 and construct a dedicated research building." Chairman Kim responded by saying, "I will build the building," and this latest donation is a fulfillment of that promise.
This third pledge of 5.9 billion KRW was decided to cover the projected budget shortfall as the design of the AI Education and Research Building enters full-scale development.
The AI Education and Research Building will be a facility with 8 floors above ground and 1 basement level, covering a total floor area of 18,182 m² (approx. 5,500 pyeong). It is scheduled for completion in February 2028. Once finished, it will serve as a global AI research hub housing 50 faculty members and 1,000 students.
Since the 2021 academic year, KAIST has been selecting 60 Master’s and 10 Doctoral students annually as 'Dongwon Scholars' outside of the regular quota for a period of 10 years. While the tuition and research incentives for the first three years were supported by the donation, KAIST has been utilizing its own budget since the 2024 academic year to ensure students can focus entirely on their research.
Moving forward, the Kim Jaechul Graduate School of AI plans to build a world-class faculty and operate systematic Master's and Doctoral programs to cultivate global AI leaders. In addition to technical expertise, the school will offer educational programs focused on character and holistic development, leading the charge in strengthening Korea's AI competitiveness.
Honorary Chairman Jae-Chul Kim stated, "I hope this donation serves as a small 'priming water' for South Korea to leap forward as an AI powerhouse. I look forward to seeing global core talents grow here and contribute to our national strength."
President Kwang Hyung Lee expressed his gratitude, saying, "Chairman Kim’s unwavering support is the greatest driving force for KAIST to secure global AI sovereignty. We will ensure the Kim Jaechul Graduate School of AI becomes a mecca where the world's best AI minds gather to innovate, honoring the Chairman’s vision."
2026.01.16 View 2361 -
KAIST Drives National Competitiveness with a Dual-Impact Model for AI Research and Regional Innovation
<Photo of KAIST Students>
KAIST announced on December 9th that it will accelerate the nurturing of world-class scientific talent and regional balanced development. This follows the government's recent announcement on 'Leaping to a Science and Technology Powerhouse, the Republic of Korea, Where People Dream of Becoming Science and Technology Professionals Again (Nov. 7),' which explicitly named the four major science and technology institutes, including KAIST, as AX (AI Transformation) innovation hubs and key leading institutions for regional innovation.
This move aligns with the policy direction of President Jae-myung Lee. On November 4th, President Jae-myung Lee stated in a Cabinet meeting, "STEM talent is the core of national competitiveness," adding that "the increase in applicants for early admissions to the four major science and technology institutes is a very desirable phenomenon for the nation's future." In particular, the President requested that the government "actively seek concrete policies, such as expanding the allowance for transfers between STEM fields, increasing budget support, securing excellent faculty, and upgrading research and education infrastructure, because science and technology institutes can also significantly contribute to regional balanced development."
KAIST President Kwang Hyung Lee stated, "Strengthening AI research capabilities and regional balanced development is a Dual-Impact Model for AI Research and Regional Innovation that boosts national competitiveness." He confirmed that through the government's policy direction, the innovation philosophy KAIST has pursued—that 'the region is national competitiveness'—has been established as a core national direction.
In reality, KAIST continues to firmly play a central role in nurturing the talent that sustains South Korea's science and technology sector, even amid the deepening phenomenon of students flocking to medical schools. The increase in early admission applicants to the four science and technology institutes proves the successful establishment of education and research foundations where students can choose the dream of becoming science and technology professionals instead of doctors. To accelerate this trend, KAIST is focusing on establishing a National AI Research Lab and pioneering the next-generation AI research paradigm with the goal of becoming one of the top three AI powerhouses (G3) globally.
Our university was selected not only to lead the development of the next-generation bio-AI model 'K-Fold'—which surpasses Google DeepMind—and as a key participating institution in the Lunit consortium, but also as a core research team in the national AI flagship project, the 'Generative AI Leading Talent Cultivation Program.' Through discovering research topics that reflect diverse technological demands from industries, nurturing advanced AI talent, and demonstrating research outcomes in industrial settings, KAIST is being reborn as a field-ready leader guiding the AI Transformation (AX) across all of South Korea's industries.
KAIST's AI research competitiveness has also been officially recognized overseas. NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang personally introduced KAIST as an "Amazing University" during his keynote speech at the 2025 APEC CEO Summit (Oct. 31), highly evaluating KAIST's world-class research capabilities and global collaboration potential.
Regional innovation is also gaining momentum. Our university is expanding physical AI-based research infrastructure in regions like Jeonbuk and Gyeongnam, centered around its main campus in Daejeon. Through the AI and robot-based 'Robot Valley Project' and the 'Global Innovation Startup Growth Hub Project,' in cooperation with Daejeon City, KAIST is supporting the advancement of local industries and the growth and global expansion of startups.
<ANGEL SUIT, a gait-training robot>
In particular, Sovagen—a bio-company founded on the technology of Professor Jeong Ho Lee of the KAIST Graduate School of Medical Science—recently succeeded in an overseas technology transfer of an RNA new drug for epilepsy valued at 750 billion KRW, proving a virtuous cycle model of innovation where university research translates into actual industry success.
Furthermore, the foundation for future talent development is being strengthened through efforts like promoting a culture of challenging research via the 'Failure Lab,' and early nurturing of outstanding talent through the 'Junior KAIST' and '3+4 TUBE Programs.' While setting the direction for regional university innovation through the specialized and performance-centric 'KAIST Model,' the university is also taking the lead in popularizing science and fulfilling its social responsibilities.
President Kwang Hyung Lee emphasized, "We will continue to pursue the expansion of the AI research budget and the establishment of international joint research infrastructure through close cooperation with the government." He concluded, "We will cultivate young talents who have chosen the future to be the main players in South Korean science and technology, fulfilling our central role in the 'AI Powerhouse Republic of Korea,' where the nation and the regions grow together."
2025.12.09 View 3127 -
KAIST Professor and Alumni Who Won AIxCC Donate 150 Million KRW of Prize Money to Their Alma Mater
<(From Left) Professor Insu Yun from KAIST School of Electrical Engineering, Researcher HyungSeok Han from Samsung Research America>
KAIST (President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced on the 23rd of November that HyungSeok Han (Ph.D. alumnus from the School of Computing) and Insu Yun (B.S. alumnus, currently Associate Professor in the School of Electrical Engineering) donated 150 million KRW from the prize money won by Team Atlanta, which took first place in the world’s largest AI security competition, the “AI Cyber Challenge (AIxCC),” organized by the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).
The AIxCC final round was held this August in Las Vegas, where Team Atlanta—a joint team consisting of researchers from Samsung Research, KAIST, POSTECH, and Georgia Tech—secured the top prize. AIxCC is the world’s largest AI security competition, with a total prize pool of 29.5 million USD (approx. 41 billion KRW). Over the past two years, security companies and research teams worldwide have competed with AI-based security technologies, showcasing state-of-the-art capabilities.
A total of 91 teams registered for the competition, 31 teams participated in the qualifiers, and 7 teams advanced to the finals. Team Atlanta won the first-place prize of 4 million USD (approx. 5.8 billion KRW), securing victory with an overwhelming margin comparable to the combined scores of the second- and third-place teams. The team also swept major titles such as “Most Vulnerabilities Identified” and “Highest Scoring Team,” demonstrating exceptional technical superiority.
HyungSeok Han earned his B.S. (2017) and Ph.D. (2023) from the KAIST School of Computing, then worked as a postdoctoral researcher at Georgia Tech before joining Samsung Research America where he currently works. In the competition, he served as the team leader for the development of the automatic vulnerability detection system and oversaw system integration and infrastructure, making major contributions.
Insu Yun received his B.S. (2015) from the KAIST School of Computing and his Ph.D. (2020) from Georgia Tech. Since 2021, he has been a faculty member in the KAIST School of Electrical Engineering. In this competition, he led the patch development team and played a central role in enhancing overall system completeness.
The two researchers decided to donate 150 million KRW of their prize money to the School of Computing and the School of Electrical Engineering. The School of Computing will use the donation as a scholarship fund, while the School of Electrical Engineering will apply it toward student education and research support, in line with the spirit of the donation.
Alumnus HyungSeok Han remarked, “Building a system in which AI autonomously discovers vulnerabilities and even generates patches has long been a dream of mine and an important milestone in the security field. I’m grateful to have achieved meaningful results together with KAIST alumni, and I hope KAIST will continue to exert a positive influence on global technological advancement.”
<Final Scoreboard>
Professor Insu Yun stated, “I’m truly grateful to every member of Team Atlanta. In particular, I want to thank Professor Taesoo Kim, our overall team leader and advisor, the students in our lab who worked tirelessly, and Dr. HyungSeok Han, who joined me in making this meaningful contribution.”
KAIST President Kwang Hyung Lee commented, “I deeply thank our alumni for achieving outstanding results on the world stage of technological competition and for generously giving back to their alma mater. This achievement demonstrates KAIST’s educational and research excellence and stands as meaningful evidence of the global competitiveness of Korea’s AI and security technologies. KAIST will continue to lead advanced AI and security innovation and do its utmost to nurture creative talent who will contribute to humanity and society.”
To encourage further alumni contributions, the KAIST Development Foundation is operating the Team KAIST (https://giving.kaist.ac.kr/ko/sub01/sub0103_1.php) campaign to promote alumni participation.
2025.11.24 View 2108 -
Imdang Scholarship and Culture Foundation Donates 500 Million Won to Modernize KAIST's Space Research Infrastructure
< Photo of the Chung Mong-Hun Uri-Star Research Building at the Satellite Research Center >
KAIST announced on the Novemnber 21st that it received a donation of 500 million won from the Imdang Scholarship and Culture Foundation and will proceed with an environmental improvement project for the 'Chung Mong-Hun Uri-Star Research Building' at the Satellite Research Center on the main campus in Daejeon.
The Imdang Scholarship and Culture Foundation is a non-profit scholarship foundation established in 2005 by Chairwoman Moon-Hee Kim, the mother of Hyundai Group Chairwoman Jeong-Eun Hyun. Currently, Executive Director Ji-Yi Chung of Hyundai Movex, Chairwoman Hyun's eldest daughter, serves as the Chairwoman of the Foundation. The foundation has been carrying out various projects over three generations to promote education, culture, arts, sports, and nurture talent.
This donation from the Imdang Scholarship and Culture Foundation once again brings the special and long-standing relationship between KAIST and the Hyundai Group into the spotlight.
The 'Chung Mong-Hun Uri-Star Research Building,' located on the main KAIST campus in Daejeon, was established with a donation from the late Mong-Hun Chung, former Chairman of the Hyundai Group and husband of Chairwoman Hyun, to foster the development of domestic space research. This enabled the launch of the nation's first dedicated university-affiliated space research organization. Following this, Chairwoman Hyun also continued to show special interest and affection for research support projects. The research building was named its current name in 2008 to commemorate the 5th anniversary of the passing of the late Chairman Mong-Hun Chung. In this way, the partnership between Hyundai and KAIST is regarded as a healthy example of corporate social contribution, where a company participates in the development of the knowledge ecosystem and the nurturing of talent.
The KAIST Satellite Research Center, housed in the 'Chung Mong-Hun Uri-Star Research Building,' was established in 1989 as the nation's first dedicated university-affiliated space research organization. Starting with 'Uribyol-1,' which signaled the start of South Korea's space development, it has led the development of various satellites, including next-generation small satellites and ultra-small satellite constellations, based on independent domestic technology, growing into a world-class small satellite research institution.
Currently, about 80 researchers are stationed at the research building, dedicated to developing cutting-edge small satellite technology. However, the inconvenience of transporting research equipment due to the absence of an elevator and the lack of accessibility for mobility-impaired individuals have been persistent issues.
KAIST plans to use this donation to install an elevator connecting the basement floor to the 4th floor above ground. This will increase the efficiency of transporting research equipment while providing a convenient movement environment for both visitors and researchers.
Furthermore, the public relations hall, which has been operating since 2008, will be renovated into an experiential exhibition space, applying the latest digital display techniques to allow visitors to see KAIST's space research achievements and history at a glance. Visited by over 1,000 people annually, including domestic and international students, the general public, research institutions, businesses, and government officials, this space is expected to become a place for experiencing and sharing KAIST's space technology development process and future vision.
To commemorate this project and express gratitude for the sponsorship, our university will hold a plaque of appreciation ceremony at the KAIST Seoul Campus President's Office on Friday, November 21st, at 3:00 PM. Chairwoman Jeong-Eun Hyun of the Hyundai Group, President Kwang Hyung Lee of KAIST, and Director Jaeheung Han of the KAIST Space Science Research Institute attended the event to exchange expressions of mutual cooperation and gratitude.
Hyundai Group Chairwoman Jeong-Eun Hyun stated, "The late Chairman Mong-Hun Chung supported the development of the KAIST Satellite Research Center with his deep passion for science and space," and "I hope this environmental improvement project will carry on his legacy, contribute to the development of Korean space technology, and serve as an opportunity for more young talents to foster their dreams."
KAIST President Kwang Hyung Lee stated, "The Chung Mong-Hun Uri-Star Research Building is a symbolic space for the development of South Korea's space technology, and this environmental improvement project will serve as an opportunity to enhance both research efficiency and the value of public experience," adding, "The meaningful sponsorship from the Imdang Scholarship and Culture Foundation will be a great source of strength for KAIST's future space research development."
2025.11.21 View 2196 -
Professor Sang Yup Lee Selected as IETI 'Laureate Distinguished Fellow'
<Professor Sang Yup Lee of the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering>
Professor Sang Yup Lee of KAIST Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering has been selected as a 'Laureate Distinguished Fellow,' the highest rank of fellow, by the International Engineering and Technology Institute (IETI).
Professor Lee is a globally renowned biotechnologist who has been leading research on the sustainable production of bio-based chemicals, and he received the 'ENI Award' in 2018. With this selection, he stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the world's top scholars, including recipients of the Nobel, Fields, and Turing Prizes.
IETI is an international academic organization established in Hong Kong in 2015 to promote innovation and international cooperation in the fields of engineering, technology, and science. Each year, the institute selects researchers with significant academic influence worldwide and appoints them into three grades: Laureate Distinguished Fellow, Distinguished Fellow, and Fellow. Professor Lee has been named to the most prestigious grade among these.
<IETI 2025 Fellow Selection Photo>
A total of 70 new fellows were selected in 2025. Among them, 14 individuals were named Laureate Distinguished Fellows, which includes recipients of top honors such as the Nobel, Fields, and Turing Prizes. Besides Professor Lee, this group includes Dudley Herschbach of Harvard University (Nobel Prize in Chemistry), Vint Cerf of Google (Turing Award), and Shigefumi Mori of Kyoto University (Fields Medal).
IETI stated that the selection process involved a rigorous five-step procedure: nomination, qualification review, document screening, expert voting, and final evaluation. It also expressed hope that the newly appointed fellows will demonstrate academic leadership in their respective research fields and contribute to global scientific and technological innovation and the promotion of international cooperation.
2025.11.10 View 2521 -
Robot-Operated Space Station Construction Goal... 'In-space Servicing and Manufacturing Research Center' Launched
<Plaque Handover Ceremony. (From left) Jae-Hung Han, Director of the Space Research Institute, Ju-won Kang, Head of Engineering Group at the National Research Foundation of Korea Basic Research Headquarters>
KAIST's Space Research Institute announced on the 24th of October that it officially launched the 'Innovative Research Center for the Development of Core Technologies in In-space Servicing and Manufacturing (ISMRC)' at the KAIST Academic Cultural Center on Friday, October 24. About 150 officials from major organizations, including the Korea Aerospace Administration, the National Research Foundation of Korea, and Daejeon Metropolitan City, as well as domestic and foreign space experts, attended the opening ceremony to discuss future cooperation measures. The 'KAIST In-space Servicing and Manufacturing Research Center (ISMRC)' is a large-scale research hub selected for the Ministry of Science and ICT's 2025 Basic Research Project, with a total of 71.2 billion KRW long-term project planned over the next 10 years, including 50 billion KRW in national funding. Daejeon City will also provide a total of 3.6 billion KRW, with 400 million KRW annually starting from 2026. The research goals are to secure core technologies for next-generation space exploration, including: ▲ Construction of Unmanned Space Stations, ▲ Robotics-based In-space Manufacturing, and ▲ Resource Recovery Technology. A team of 14 KAIST professors, led by Director Jae-Hung Han, will spearhead the research, with major domestic and foreign space companies and research institutions participating in joint research. As the 'New Space' era fully commences globally, the In-space Servicing and Manufacturing industry is projected to grow to tens of trillions of Korean won by 2030, driven by the reduction of launch costs and the expansion of private sector participation. This field is evaluated as a core area that will fundamentally change the way humanity engages in space activities, including extending satellite lifespan, on-orbit maintenance and operation, and securing and manufacturing resources in space. Meanwhile, an international symposium was held for two days on October 23-24 at the KAIST Academic Cultural Center and KI Building, coinciding with the opening ceremony.
<Director Jae-Hung Han of the Space Research Institute presenting>
The symposium was composed of a total of six sessions, including: ▲ Exchange Meeting on Additive Manufacturing Tecnology for Aerospace, ▲ International Workshop on Aerospace Composites, ▲ Workshop on Swarm Satellite Development, and ▲ Workshop on In-space Servicing and Manufacturing Robotics. Major domestic and foreign institutions and experts, including the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, and California Institute of Technology (Caltech), attended to discuss the future direction of next-generation space technology development and international cooperation measures. Cheol-woong Son, Director-General of Future Strategy Industry Office at Daejeon City, said, "We will develop the Innovative Research Center into a Daejeon-type space industry innovation platform with KAIST," and "Daejeon City will concentrate its capabilities to help local businesses grow and establish Daejeon as the central city for the Republic of Korea's space industry." Jae-Hung Han, Director of the KAIST Space Research Institute, said, "We will lead the core technologies for in-space servicing and manufacturing through cooperation between industry, academia, research institutes, and government, and contribute to the establishment of a private sector-focused industrial ecosystem," adding, "KAIST will grow into a comprehensive research hub that encompasses R&D, talent nurturing, and technology commercialization."
<Group Photo of Participants at the Opening Ceremony of the In-space Servicing and Manufacturing Research Center>
Kwang Hyung Lee, President of KAIST, said, "The field of in-space servicing and manufacturing is a core area that will change the paradigm of the future space industry," and "KAIST will lead the Republic of Korea to become the center for opening a new era of the space industry through innovative technology development and global cooperation." KAIST plans to perform the role of breaking down the boundaries between academia and industry, focusing on these technologies, and laying the foundation for next-generation space activities.
2025.10.24 View 4370 -
AI Nüshu Wins International Award
< (From left) Dr. Yuqian Sun, Professor Chang-Hee Lee of the Department of Industrial Design, and Ali Asadipour, Director of CSRC at the Royal College of Art >
'Nüshu (女書)' is the world's only women's script, a unique writing system created autonomously by women in Hunan Province, China, starting around the 19th century. These women, excluded from Hanzi education, used it to record their lives and communicate with each other. A research team from KAIST participated in the 'AI Nüshu (女书)' project, which combines the script's significance (creation amidst oppression, female solidarity, linguistic experimentation) with modern technology, winning a prestigious international award often called the 'Academy Award of the media art world.'
KAIST announced on the 10th that the 'AI Nüshu' project, jointly conducted by Professor Chang-Hee Lee's research team from the Department of Industrial Design and Ali Asadipour, Director of the Computer Science Research Center at the Royal College of Art (RCA), was selected for the Honorary Mention in the Digital Humanity category at the 'Prix Ars Electronica 2025,' the world's highest-level media art festival.
< Installation image of 'AI Nüshu' >
The 'Prix Ars Electronica,' known as the 'Academy Award of the media art world,' is the premier international media art competition held annually in Linz, Austria. This competition, which discovers innovative works spanning the boundaries of art and science, saw 3,987 submissions from 98 countries this year, with only two works receiving the honor in the Digital Humanity category.
The award-winning work, 'AI Nüshu (女书),' is based on 'Nüshu,' the world's only women's script created by Chinese women who were excluded from literacy education to record and communicate their lives.
The KAIST research team and collaborators combined this script with Computational Linguistics to create an installation that visitors can directly experience.
The artificial intelligence within the artwork learns the communication methods of pre-modern Chinese women and generates its own new language. This is regarded as a symbol of resistance against the patriarchal order and a feminist endeavor that moves beyond Western-centric views on language.
< Example of the same sentence expressed in English, Chinese, Nüshu, and AI Nüshu >
It also received high praise for artistically presenting the possibility of machines creating new languages, going beyond the preconception that 'only humans create language.'
Dr. Yuqian Sun of the Royal College of Art expressed her feelings, saying, "Although there were many difficulties in my life and research process, I feel great reward and emotion through this award."
Professor Chang-Hee Lee of the KAIST Department of Industrial Design stated, "It is very meaningful that this contemplative art, born from the intersection of history, humanities, art, and technology, has led to such a globally prestigious award."
Detailed information about the project can be found on the official Prix Ars Electronica website (https://ars.electronica.art/prix/en/digitalhumanity/).
2025.10.13 View 4777 -
MICCAI 2025 Eve KAIST Day Successfully Held
< Scene of the KAIST Day Symposium Lectures >
KAIST announced on the September 23rd that the 'KAIST Day' special symposium, held on the eve of 'MICCAI 2025' at the Jeong Geun-mo Conference Hall of the KAIST Academic and Cultural Center on September 22, was successfully held with the attendance of more than 30 overseas scholars and 200 domestic researchers and students.
This event was a special program prepared to commemorate the hosting of MICCAI 2025 (The 28th International Conference on Medical Image Computing and Computer Assisted Intervention, Conference Chair: Professor Jina Park of KAIST School of Computing), the world's largest medical imaging conference. It was sponsored by the KAIST College of Engineering and Daejeon City, and was held under the theme of "From Insight to Intervention: Intelligent Imaging in Biomedicine."
KAIST and world-class scholars gathered to share the latest research results combining medical imaging and artificial intelligence, and to have an in-depth discussion on the future direction of next-generation medical technology, encompassing diagnosis and treatment.
Seven world-renowned scholars from the Americas, Europe, and Asia introduced their latest research, and about 30 overseas scholars toured KAIST's advanced medical imaging infrastructure and sought possibilities for collaboration by interacting with domestic researchers. In addition, attending domestic researchers and students had the opportunity for collaboration and international joint research through a networking session.
< A group photo from KAIST Day with President Kwang Hyung Lee and Conference Chair Jina Park >
This event provided an opportunity for domestic researchers to meet world-class scholars ahead of the opening of MICCAI 2025 and served as a starting point and symbolic place for KAIST and Daejeon City to foster Korea as a global hub for medical AI research. The event was planned and moderated by Professor Seungryong Cho and Associate Vice President Hyunju Lee, and was composed of four sessions. First, Professor Hyunwook Park introduced the history and development of medical imaging research at KAIST. Following this, in the "AI for Diagnosis & Disease Understanding" session, Professors Anne Martel, Kenji Suzuki, Hayit Greenspan, and Dimitris Metaxas presented their latest research on AI-based medical imaging, including cancer diagnosis, early detection, rare disease analysis, and multi-modal fusion.
In the next "Imaging Intelligence for Intervention" session, Professors Nasir Navab, Yongkwan Park, James Ji, Leo Joskowicz, and Hyunmin Bae shared clinical application cases such as AR/VR surgical assistance, ultra-high-resolution imaging, atlas-based analysis, surgical planning support, and personalized treatment with neuroimaging.
Each presentation demonstrated the possibilities of future medical imaging expanding beyond diagnosis to treatment and personalized medicine, and active exchanges continued through discussions and Q&A. After the lectures, overseas researchers toured KAIST's advanced infrastructure and conducted in-depth discussions with domestic researchers.
In addition, with the support of NVIDIA, the "NVIDIA Isaac for Healthcare Hands-on Lab" was held, allowing researchers and students to directly experience the latest AI medical platform.
< Invited speakers and attendees of the symposium >
Professor Jina Park of the KAIST School of Computing and Conference Chair of MICCAI 2025 said, "MICCAI is the world's top-level medical AI conference with a focus on clinical application. We organized this event to introduce KAIST's challenging research to the international community and to create new synergy through academic exchange. We expect MICCAI 2025, which will be held from the 23rd to the 27th at the Daejeon Convention Center, to become a representative international academic event for Daejeon, with more than 3,200 people registered."
KAIST President Kwang Hyung Lee said, "The hosting of MICCAI 2025 is an achievement that shows the international status of Korean science and technology. In particular, this pre-conference symposium held at KAIST was a meaningful event where world-class scholars gathered to discuss the future of medical imaging and AI, and it was an opportunity to once again confirm KAIST's status. KAIST will continue to take the lead in research and education that contributes to the promotion of human health by expanding global cooperation."
※ MICCAI 2025 Website: https://conferences.miccai.org/2025/en/
2025.09.23 View 2825 -
KAIST Seoul Campus Dormitory Remodeling Completed, Improving Student Housing
< President Kwang Hyung Lee, Booyoung Group Chairman Joong Keun Lee, and executives >
KAIST held a completion and donation ceremony for the newly remodeled Pajeongsa and Sojeongsa dormitories at the Seoul Campus on the 18th. The event was attended by key figures including President Kwang Hyung Lee, Booyoung Group Chairman Joong Keun Lee, and students.
Booyoung Group is a company that has consistently engaged in various social contribution activities, including housing rental, construction, and support for education and culture. With a deep interest in the field of education, the company is taking the lead in improving student welfare by enhancing university dormitory environments.
This remodeling project was carried out as part of a KRW 20 billion donation agreement signed by Booyoung Group last year to create a safe and comfortable learning environment for KAIST students.
< President Kwang Hyung Lee, Booyoung Group Chairman Joong Keun Lee, and executives >
This remodeling project is being conducted on a total of four dormitory buildings across the Daejeon and Seoul campuses. Three of these buildings, including Pajeongsa and Sojeongsa, have been completed, providing students with newly improved living spaces. The remaining one building is also expected to be completed soon.
Through this remodeling, the aging facilities of Pajeongsa and Sojeongsa on the Seoul Campus have been upgraded, including exterior construction and overall mechanical and electrical systems. The two buildings will be named "Ujeong Pajeongsa" and "Ujeong Sojeongsa," taking their names from the donor's pen name.
< Group photo of attendees at the Seoul Campus dormitory remodeling completion ceremony >
Chairman Joong Keun Lee said, "The dormitory remodeling project, which began with the hope that Korea's scientific talents would be able to devote themselves to their studies and research in a more stable home, has now come to fruition. I hope this will serve as the foundation for KAIST to develop into a world-class university for science and technology innovation." At the completion ceremony, President Kwang Hyung Lee said, "I am very happy to be able to introduce these buildings, which have been reborn through the chairman's donation. KAIST will engrave the chairman's great will in our hearts and dedicate ourselves to nurturing the world's best talent."
2025.09.18 View 2411