[CONFERENCE] Universities urged to reshape education, cultivate human skills for AI age

Noted education experts and leading industry professionals urged universities to undergo a transformative change in response to the advent of artificial intelligence (AI). They stressed that higher education should transition away from the conventional method of knowledge dissemination and instead focus on nurturing human-centric skills such as critical thinking, ethical responsibility, and the ability to define problems.

At the opening panel discussion of the 2026 Korea Times Global Conference, themed "Beyond AI: Building human-centered leadership for the next era," the panelists advocated for swift updates in university curricula and innovative approaches to stay abreast of the rapid technological advancements. The session, titled "The human edge of AI: Reimagining global competitiveness in Korean universities," delved into the strategies academic institutions could employ to embed AI technology into education, research, and the broader student experience.

Moderated by Choi Jae-boong, a professor specializing in interdisciplinary AI service design at Sungkyunkwan University, the dialogue underscored the importance of maximizing the unique human capabilities that AI cannot replicate, while simultaneously enhancing the development of other essential human skills.