As artificial intelligence is being applied across the board in next-generation industries, Samsung has joined the contract department, which is emerging as a means of fostering next-generation technical talent, and is rolling up its sleeves to foster talent in the AI field.

Samsung Electronics and Sungkyunkwan University announced on the 25th that they will establish a new contract department called the 'Intelligent Software Department' to foster talent specialized in artificial intelligence (AI). On the 22nd, Samsung Electronics and Sungkyunkwan University held a signing ceremony for the establishment of an intelligent software department at the Sungkyunkwan University Natural Science Campus in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province.

It will be operated as a five-year integrated undergraduate and master's program within the Software Convergence College of Sungkyunkwan University, and plans to select 50 new students every year starting in 2024.

Students will grow into master's-level AI talents through 3 years and 6 months (7 semesters) of undergraduate-level theoretical and practical education in the AI and software fields, and 1 year and 6 months (3 semesters) of master's-level intensive education.

Students who enroll will be linked to employment at Samsung Electronics after graduation, and will receive benefits such as full tuition support during their period of attendance as an industry-academic scholarship, participation in Samsung Electronics internship programs, tours of Samsung Electronics overseas research centers, and attendance at renowned overseas academic conferences.

Samsung Electronics' President and Head of Management Support Office Park Hak-gyu said, "We have decided to establish the Department of Intelligent Software with Sungkyunkwan University in order to build an AI talent infrastructure that will create a new future," adding, "We will continue active industry-academia cooperation to contribute to the development of AI technology."

Samsung Electronics is investing heavily in new growth IT and semiconductor fields such as AI and next-generation communications, and is working to secure technological capabilities as well as fostering talent. In particular, Samsung Electronics is actively utilizing AI technology in all business sectors including mobile, TV, home appliances, networks, and semiconductors, and the demand for AI experts is increasing.

Accordingly, Samsung Electronics is researching advanced technologies and fostering professional manpower through its global AI centers in seven global bases, while supporting innovative AI research by new domestic researchers through the ‘Samsung Future Technology Promotion Project.’ In addition, we are operating activities to expand the base of AI, such as the 'Samsung AI Forum', which invites world-renowned AI scholars and industry experts to share the latest research trends every year, and the 'Samsung Youth SW Academy', a software education CSR program.

Sungkyunkwan University President Shin Dong-ryeol said, “This agreement establishes a bridgehead for continued cooperation in fostering advanced software talent,” and added, “We will work to foster world-leading software talent and successfully operate the contract department.”