KaKao

- Expanding participation in “Tech for Impact Campus” to 20 universities nationwide to build a regional AI talent development system

- Partnership with the Ministry of Education and KCUE expected to strengthen hands-on AI education and help reduce regional disparities in educational opportunities through public-private-academic collaboration

 

[April 28, 2026] Kakao Impact Foundation, Kakao’s corporate foundation (Chairperson Suk-young Ryu), is launching a major initiative to advance AI education innovation in higher education in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Korean Council for University Education (KCUE).

 

The foundation announced that it will sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on April 28 at Kakao Pangyo Agit to jointly promote the “University Artificial Intelligence (AI) Foundation Curriculum Development Support Project.” The signing ceremony will be attended by key officials, including Eun-ok Choi, Vice Minister of Education; Ki-jeong Lee, President of KCUE; and Suk-young Ryu, Chairperson of Kakao Impact Foundation.

 

The agreement is designed to expand “Tech for Impact Campus,” Kakao Impact Foundation’s flagship education program, on a nationwide scale and accelerate the development of AI talent through collaboration among the public, private, and academic sectors. In particular, in connection with the government’s “University AI Basic Curriculum Development Support Project,” the initiative aims to strengthen university students’ foundational AI skills while expanding educational opportunities previously concentrated in the Seoul metropolitan area to 20 universities across the country, helping reduce regional disparities in access to AI education.

 

Each organization will contribute according to its respective role. The Ministry of Education will oversee the selection of participating universities and provide policy support, while KCUE will manage participating institutions and supervise overall program operations. Kakao Impact Foundation will provide its proprietary educational model and content while operating the “Tech for Impact Campus” program. The foundation also plans to support students through a variety of practical learning opportunities, including mentorship from Kakao developers, hands-on industry projects, and project showcase events, enabling participants to gain real-world experience.

 

“Tech for Impact Campus” is a project-based educational program for university students that partners with non-profit organizations to design and develop technology solutions addressing social challenges. Since its launch at KAIST in 2023, approximately 500 students from nine universities have participated in the program, contributing to the development of interdisciplinary AI talent. Through a “Collective Impact” model that brings together universities, social innovators, and businesses, Kakao Impact Foundation plans to expand the use of “technology for good” and strengthen the foundation for sustainable social change.

 

“This agreement is particularly meaningful as it connects the ‘Tech for Impact Campus’ education model with a government initiative and expands it to universities nationwide,” said Suk-young Ryu, Chairperson of Kakao Impact Foundation. She added, “We will continue to identify and cultivate the next generation of AI leaders with strong problem-solving capabilities through practical, industry-oriented education programs developed in partnership with regional universities.”

 

Furthermore, Kakao Group continues its efforts to foster regional talent development. Earlier this year, Kakao Group officially launched “Kakao AI Sail,” a collaboration initiative with Korea’s four leading science and technology institutes—KAIST, GIST, DGIST, and UNIST—to nurture regional AI talent and foster the growth of AI-driven enterprises. Backed by a KRW 50 billion AI development fund, Kakao AI Sail aims to discover globally competitive AI innovators and actively support entrepreneurship among talent equipped with practical problem-solving capabilities, ultimately establishing a sustainable nationwide ecosystem for AI talent development across Korea. (E.O.D.)