Universities embrace AI ambitions but struggle to foot the bill

While university presidents agree on the need for AI transformation (AX) — a shift toward integrating AI across teaching, research and administration — they say a lack of funding is making it difficult to invest in the transition. Calls are growing for greater government support and the establishment of shared infrastructure.

Only 41 percent, or 59, of 144 presidents of four-year universities nationwide said they had established and were implementing concrete investment plans for AX over the next three years, according to a survey released Thursday by the Korean Council for University Education (KCUE).

The survey was conducted in June and July among the presidents of 192 universities that are members of the KCUE.

Another 55.5 percent, or 80 presidents, said they recognize the need for AX but remain constrained by a lack of funding or are still in the review stage.

None said their universities could fully cover the cost of AX investment with their own resources, with 89.4 percent saying they would need a substantial level of government support or more.

The presidents rated AI infrastructure and platform development as the area with the greatest need for investment, at 4.29 points out of 5. The responses were measured on a five-point scale, with 1 indicating not applicable and 5 indicating that a significant expansion is needed.

It was followed by the development of AI-based curricula and content at 4.21 points and strengthening educators' AI capabilities, also at 4.21 points.

The survey also highlighted the need for cooperation among universities in the AI transition. A total of 88.2 percent, or 127 university presidents, said joint development and sharing would be more effective than individual universities building their own systems. 

AI systems specialized for education were cited most frequently as an area requiring cooperation, followed by AI-based learning management and learning data platforms and shared computing infrastructure. 

Financial issues remained the leading concern among university presidents. In a multiple-response question, government and regional government financial support programs ranked No. 1, cited by 79.9 percent, followed by attracting and educating international students at 60.4 percent and recruiting and filling quotas for new students at 45.8 percent.

Securing university development funds, in particular, rose 5.6 percentage points from last year, moving from No. 10 to No. 8. 

"Universities agree on the need for AX, but the reality is that it is difficult to pursue the transition using their own financial resources alone," KCUE Chairman Lee Ki-jeong said.

"As higher education funding is a strategic investment in national competitiveness, stable funding must be expanded, including increased government contributions, while a foundation for cooperation among universities should also be established to jointly develop and share AI platforms.”

BY KIM MIN-SANG [[email protected]]