On a brisk February week in 2026, Chungnam National University (CNU) found itself at the crossroads of tradition and innovation, leading a wave of artificial intelligence (AI) transformation that’s rippling through South Korea and, increasingly, the world. In a series of headline-grabbing events, CNU showcased not only its technological prowess but also its commitment to reimagining higher education for the Fourth Industrial Revolution era.
The momentum began on February 25, when CNU hosted its 2025 academic year first semester graduation ceremony at the Jeongsimhwa International Culture Hall. The event saw 3,708 students—2,581 bachelor’s, 936 master’s, and 191 doctoral graduates—receive their degrees in a ceremony that was anything but ordinary. Instead of the usual solemn address, attendees were greeted by a younger, AI-generated version of President Kim Jeong-gyeom, who appeared on screen clad in a CNU varsity jacket. His message was clear, heartfelt, and deeply resonant for the AI era.
“The competitiveness of the AI era comes not from never failing, but from the uniquely human courage to learn from failure and try again,” the AI Kim Jeong-gyeom told graduates and their families, earning enthusiastic applause, according to Jungdo Ilbo. He added, “At CNU, you have not learned to be perfect, but to have the courage to get back up after you fall.” Quoting poet Do Jong-hwan, he reminded students, “Is there any flower that blooms without shaking? Even if you are shaken by harsh winds and rain, you will eventually bloom.”
This bold use of AI wasn’t just a graduation gimmick. It was part of a larger initiative, the ‘CNU AI Transformation,’ which has seen the university embed AI into nearly every facet of campus life—education, research, administration, and even ceremonial traditions. The university has rolled out an AI-based chatbot service, ‘AI Chacha,’ the first of its kind among flagship national universities, and launched the AI-powered academic support system ‘CNU With U+.’ In 2024, CNU established the Artificial Intelligence Innovation Committee, a direct advisory body to the university president, to steer these sweeping changes.
And the innovation didn’t stop at graduation. On February 27, CNU planned to welcome new students at the 2026 academic year entrance ceremony with another AI Kim Jeong-gyeom—this time, in a fresh avatar, continuing the university’s push to normalize AI as both a tool and a symbol of modern education. This creative approach, as reported by Jungdo Ilbo, aims to break the mold of staid academic rituals and inspire students to embrace the possibilities of the AI era.
But CNU’s ambitions reach far beyond its own campus. Just a day before the graduation, the university’s Graduate School of National Policy took center stage at the FYCMA trade exhibition and convention center in Malaga, Spain. There, as part of the Global Innovative Network of Intelligent Cities (GINI) Action Group workshop, CNU hosted an AI symposium that drew participants from across the globe—including representatives from Dortmund (Germany), Quebec (Canada), and Malaga (Spain).
Professor Jang Ho-jong delivered a keynote speech introducing Daejeon city’s comprehensive AI plan, as well as CNU’s strategies for linking AI policy, education, and research. The session offered a vision of global collaboration, where universities and research institutes pool their expertise to tackle challenges in bio, defense, semiconductor, and physical sectors. Professor Bae Gwan-pyo, who chaired the session, outlined plans for joint research consortiums and highlighted the importance of building strong international ties among GINI member cities through AI-driven projects.
According to coverage by the Daejeon-Malaga joint press team, the event was not merely a showcase but a working forum, where concrete cooperation tasks and research opportunities were hammered out. CNU’s role as a principal organizer of AI-specialized seminars for the upcoming 2nd GINI General Assembly only underscores its growing influence in shaping the global conversation around AI in higher education and urban policy.
Back home, CNU has been equally busy forging strategic partnerships. On February 26, the university signed a landmark business agreement with Korea National Open University (also known as Korea Broadcasting and Communication University). The deal, as reported by Daehak Journal, is designed to strengthen AI utilization capabilities by leveraging both institutions’ educational platforms and AI-generated content. Under the agreement, the two universities will jointly use AI content for lectures and learning materials, share access rights and authentication systems for the Broadcasting University’s education platform, and support the use of AI-produced content.
The collaboration is part of a broader effort to establish a hub for AI education capacity enhancement, in line with national AI education policies. Chungnam National University, already developing a mega campus that links Daejeon, Sejong, and Chungnam regions, is positioning itself as a leader in sustainable development and technological adaptation to the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The partnership aims to create a future-oriented education model that meets the needs of the AI era.
Broadcasting University President Goseonghwan expressed optimism about the alliance, stating, “We hope this agreement will serve as a foundation for building an education model befitting the AI era by combining the educational resources of both universities.” The sentiment was echoed by CNU’s leadership, who see the collaboration as a key step in reinforcing the university’s role as a hub for AI education and innovation.
All these efforts—AI-powered ceremonies, international symposia, and inter-university alliances—paint a picture of a university in the midst of rapid and purposeful change. CNU’s willingness to experiment, to place AI not just in the classroom but at the heart of its institutional identity, is setting a new standard for what higher education can look like in the 21st century.
Of course, such transformation isn’t without its challenges. The university must balance technological advancement with the preservation of academic rigor and human connection. Yet, as the AI Kim Jeong-gyeom told graduates, “The real strength lies not in perfection, but in the courage to stand up after a fall.” It’s a message that seems to resonate not only with students but with the university itself, as it navigates the unpredictable terrain of the digital age.
With every AI-driven ceremony, international partnership, and policy innovation, Chungnam National University is making it clear: the future of education is here, and it’s powered by both technology and the enduring human spirit.