Two programs, 33 institutions

The ministry's designation covers 18 universities under the AI-focused university (AI중심대학) initiative and 15 institutions under the AX graduate school (AX대학원) program. The two tracks form part of the government's effort to expand AI talent cultivation across higher education, building specialized curricula and research capacity at participating universities.

The launch was accompanied by imagery published via Naver News and Newsis on September 29, 2026, alongside related coverage from etnews dating to July 2026.

A file of record

Details of the ministry's selection — including the institution lists and program conditions — are preserved in the review file reports/2026-09-29_과기부_AI중심대학18_AX대학원15_검증.md. The designation drew on 12 primary sources reviewed for the record.

The claim that the ministry has brought 18 AI-focused universities and 15 AX graduate schools on board is, in the judgment of this desk, True.