Introduction to Yonsei University AI Graduate School Program
Introduction to Yonsei University AI Graduate School Program Since its establishment on March 1, 2020, the Yonsei Graduate School of AI has been at the forefront of research on core and interdisciplinary technologies that serve as the technical foundation of AI. Its mission is to nurture advanced, interdisciplinary, and entrepreneurial AI talents equipped with a robust background in software and AI. To achieve this goal, the school has brought together the best faculty in the field of AI from Korea and abroad, forming a team of 20 participating faculty members, including 9 full-time faculty members. Furthermore, to leverage the strengths of a comprehensive university, the program focuses on AI+X interdisciplinary education and research programs in fields such as medicine, engineering, business, and humanities. Currently, 30 faculty members from 14 departments are contributing as joint faculty to cultivate well-rounded AI professionals.
Yonsei Graduate School of AI: Vision for Talent Development
- Advanced AI Talent: Professionals equipped with core AI skills and strong problem-solving abilities
- Interdisciplinary AI Talent: Individuals with a comprehensive perspective on AI who are dedicated to ethical and responsible development of AI tools
- Entrepreneurial AI Talent: Visionaries who can proactively address societal challenges using core AI techniques
Under the leadership of the President of Yonsei University, the Yonsei AI Graduate School Program aspires to become a central hub for education and research within the university. To achieve this vision, the school has established a 1,500-pyeong (approximately 4,957 square meters) facility that includes an Open Cooperative AI Research Institute, an AI Data Center, and an AI Education Center. The initiative will advance systematically in phases, each aimed at performing AI research and education that can be disseminated to local communities, public sectors, industries, and nationwide AI re-education programs.
Organizations Supporting the Yonsei Graduate School of AI
In the first phase (2020–2024), the Yonsei Graduate School of AI has implemented the LE.A.P. and M.E.S.H. programs to streamline research and education. These programs aim to develop comprehensive talents, foster new business creation and entrepreneurship, and build a world-class AI research hub. The key strategies include: (1) Promoting comprehensive collaboration with other fields to deliver interdisciplinary AI education and research, (2) Developing industry-academia programs for talent cultivation and re-education to meet industry demands, (3) Establishing systems for education, incubation, and investment for supporting entrepreneurship, (4) Providing resources for AI education and research, (5) Contributing to the society by disseminating AI technologies and AI education for the disadvantaged and vulnerable populations.
LE.A.P. Core AI Research and AI+M.E.S.H. Interdisciplinary Research at Yonsei Graduate School of AI
Yonsei Graduate School of AI: Full-Cycle Talent Development Plan
In the second phase (2025–2027), the Yonsei Graduate School of AI will continue to operate and refine the existing LE.A.P. and M.E.S.H. programs. Additionally, it will focus on research and advanced education centered on core technologies for Interactive AGI (Artificial General Intelligence), capable of achieving human-level intelligence, as well as specialized AGI fields such as multimodal foundation models, healthcare, and robotics. To successfully implement the second phase, the school has outlined the following initiatives: (1) Expanding the AI Data Center, (2) Recruiting 23 full-time faculty members for the Graduate School of AI, (3) Establishing a global AI research network, (4) Developing AGI application services and providing support for entrepreneurship.
Yonsei Graduate School of AI: Core Specialization in AGI
In the third phase (2028–2029), the Yonsei Graduate School of AI aims to further advance the LE.A.P. program from phase one and the Interactive AGI technologies developed in phase two. At the same time, it plans to expand its research focus to use AI agents to address societal challenges such as climate change, energy, and healthcare. This will involve the development of new curricula, including advanced AI education programs, positioning Yonsei AI as a leader in the AI era.
The AI Graduate School Program initiative is structured around three key research focuses: LE.A.P. in phase one, Interactive AGI in phase two, and Agentic AI in phase three. Through this progression, the school seeks to lead global research trends, cultivate talents to drive AI development in Korea, and tackle critical industrial and societal challenges. Phase two emphasizes securing technologies in medical and robotics fields, fostering active industry-academia collaboration. In phase three, the school will consolidate its research capabilities to address societal issues, such as improving healthcare access for marginalized populations, confronting climate and energy challenges, and advancing towards medical innovation. These efforts are expected to enhance the quality of life for underserved communities, improve the efficiency of healthcare systems, and reduce healthcare costs through innovations.
The Yonsei Graduate School of AI aims to contribute to the development of AI technology, which is one of the Korean government’s 12 core strategic technologies. The school’s ultimate goal is to narrow the technology gap with the United States, the current global leader in AI, and establish its position among the world’s top three AI powerhouses. By actively pursuing globalization, enhancing global research capabilities, and strengthening startup support programs, the school seeks to establish itself as a lasting hub for AI innovation at Yonsei University, even after the project's conclusion.
Expected Outcomes of the AI Graduate School Program
Administration Team
Lee, Sera (이세라) 📞 +82-2-2123-3295 📧 lsr29@yonsei.ac.kr / Lim, Yeji (임예지) 📞 +82-2-2123-7761 📧 yejilim@yonsei.ac.kr