Daejeon, South Korea – Dongwon Group Honorary Chairman Jae-Cheol Kim has reaffirmed his commitment to advancing artificial intelligence (AI) research in South Korea with an additional 4.4 billion won donation to the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). This latest pledge brings Kim's total contribution to KAIST to 54.4 billion won.
Kim's initial 500 million won donation in 2020 established the 'KAIST Jae-Cheol AI Graduate School'. The new funds will be used to construct an 8-story, 5,500-ping (approximately 18,182 square meters) education and research building, which is expected to be completed in February 2028. The facility will accommodate up to 50 professors and 1,000 students, positioning it as a world-class center for AI education and research.
Kim's vision is to propel KAIST to the forefront of global AI research. Inspired by KAIST's recent ranking as the fifth-best institution in AI research worldwide, Kim expressed his desire to see the institute claim the top spot. KAIST President Kwang-Hyung Lee explained that to surpass Carnegie Mellon University, currently ranked first in AI, KAIST would need to expand its AI faculty from 20 to 50 members and construct a dedicated research building. Kim enthusiastically responded, "I'll build the building, so don't worry," underscoring his unwavering support.
“In my youth, I sought Korea's future on the world's blue oceans. However, in the age of AI, the new frontier lies in the data ocean,” Kim said. "I hope that by fostering global talent capable of leading the data-driven revolution, South Korea can become a pioneer in the Fourth Industrial Revolution."
President Lee expressed his gratitude for Kim's generous donation, stating, "Chairman Kim's decision to open up new horizons for the cultivation of next-generation scientific talent is truly admirable. KAIST is committed to transforming the KAIST Jae-Cheol AI Graduate School into the world's leading AI research institution, as envisioned by Chairman Kim."
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