[CONFERENCE] Higher education leaders call on universities to nurture human strengths in AI era

The Ministry of Education on Tuesday laid out a vision for universities to nurture students who can harness artificial intelligence (AI) while developing the distinctly human qualities needed to lead a rapidly changing society. The vision took center stage at the 2026 Korea Times Global Conference, titled “Beyond AI: Building human-centered leadership for next era,” highlighting the role of universities in nurturing a workforce capable of leading the AI era. “As AI advances, human capabilities — such as asking questions, thinking independently, making sound judgments and working with others — will become increasingly important,” Education Minister Choi Kyo-jin said in remarks delivered on his behalf by ministry spokesperson Jeong Byoung-ik. He said universities must play a central role in the AI era by generating new knowledge, bridging disciplines and technologies and preparing the next generation of workers to lead change. The ministry vowed to support universities in their efforts to adapt and innovate, stressing that investment in higher education is an investment in the