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KAIST Holds the 2026 President's Advisory Council < 2026 KAIST President's Advisory Council > On the morning of May 21st, KAIST held the '2026 KAIST President's Advisory Council' at ORBIT 50 in the FKI Tower in Yeouido, Seoul. A total of 22 attendees participated in the meeting, including members of the President's Advisory Council, Chairwoman Myung-Ja Kim, President Kwang Hyung Lee, and key university officials. President Kwang Hyung Lee personally presented the achievements and current status across all sectors of the university—including education, research, and entrepreneurship—realized during his past five years in office, along with the future direction for KAIST's development. The advisory members expressed their deep gratitude and encouragement for the hard work and dedication poured into the university's development over the years. They then engaged in a broad and in-depth discussion regarding KAIST's future growth engines and mid-to-long-term development directions. President Kwang Hyung Lee conveyed his appreciation, stating, "I would like to express my deepest respect and gratitude to the members who have served on the President's Advisory Council." He added, "I will do my utmost for the development of the university during the remainder of my term. I sincerely hope that KAIST will leap forward to become an even greater university under the next leadership."
2026.05.21 View 1877
2026 Education Innovation Day’ Held… Professor Jemin Hwangbo Receives the Grand Prize <Photo from the Education Innovation Day event> KAIST held the “2026 KAIST Education Innovation Day” on May 19 at the Chung Kun Mo Conference Hall in the Academic Culture Complex (E9) on the Daejeon main campus. Now in its eighth year, the event was organized to recognize faculty members who have contributed to educational innovation and to share outstanding cases within and beyond the university, thereby spreading the value of innovation. The event is supported through a development fund donated by Hyung Gyu Lim, former president of the KAIST Alumni Association. At this year’s ceremony, Professor Jemin Hwangbo of the Department of Mechanical Engineering received the grand prize of the “Hyung Gyu Lim LINKGENESIS-BEST Teacher Award,” which honors faculty members who have contributed to interdisciplinary education based on KAIST’s core values of creativity, challenge, and consideration. Excellence Awards were presented to Professor Sung Min Kim of the School of Electrical Engineering, Professor Hyun Uk Kim of the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and Professor Yunjae Choi of the Kim Jaechul Graduate School of AI. Professor Jemin Hwangbo has contributed to advances in robotics by pushing the limits of robot technology through the successful marathon completion of a quadruped robot and by developing reinforcement learning–based control algorithms capable of enabling high-speed locomotion over deformable terrain. He has also devoted himself to cultivating future talent through visualization- and practice-oriented education in dynamics. In recognition of his contributions to creating a virtuous cycle between research and education, he was selected as the recipient of the competition’s highest honor, the grand prize of the “Hyung Gyu Lim LINKGENESIS-BEST Teacher Award.” <Photo from the Education Innovation Day event> The grand prize of the “Teaching and Learning Innovation Award,” which recognizes faculty members who have developed learner-centered creative teaching methods and effective pedagogical approaches, was awarded to Professor Donghyuk Shin of the Department of Aerospace Engineering. Excellence Awards in the same category were presented to Professor Sangho Lee of the School of Digital Humanities and Computational Social Sciences, while the team award went to Professors Byungha Shin, Jihun Oh, Seungbeom Hong, and Sung Hoon Kang of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. In addition, the “KAIST Educator Award,” which honors faculty members who have fostered students’ autonomous growth, was presented to Professor Jae Hoon Kim of the Department of Biological Sciences and Professor Pil Seung Lee of the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Educational achievements by Professor Hyungsoo Kim, recipient of the Creative Lecture Award, and Professor Beomsoon Park, recipient of the Distinguished Lecture Award, both of whom were honored at the university’s anniversary ceremony in February, were also introduced during the event. For contributions to strengthening educational competitiveness and internationalization, Professor Soon Sik Kwon of the Department of Mathematical Sciences and 11 other faculty members received the “KAIST Education Innovation Award,” while Professors Miseon Kim and Holly Wang of the School of Digital Humanities and Computational Social Sciences received the “KAIST Education Innovation Contribution Award.” During the event, Professors Jemin Hwangbo, Pil Seung Lee, Hyungsoo Kim, and Beomsoon Park delivered special lectures sharing innovative educational practices and know-how applied in actual classroom settings. In addition, awards were presented to students who achieved outstanding results in the “2026 KAIST AI Future Challenge,” followed by idea presentation sessions that created opportunities for communication and exchange between students and faculty members. <Photo from the Education Innovation Day event> KAIST President Kwang-Hyung Lee stated, “In the era of AI transformation (AX), in which industrial and social structures are being reshaped, cultivating talent capable of leading this transition has become a core mission of universities.” He added, “KAIST will continue to pursue an educational approach centered on encouraging students to ask questions and take on challenges so that they can develop the ability to define and solve problems independently.” He further expressed hope that the event would serve as an opportunity for educational innovation culture to spread throughout the university through the sharing of outstanding field cases and to lead to meaningful industry collaboration. <Poster for KAIST Education Innovation Day>
2026.05.19 View 1113
2026 AI × Failure Idea Competition’ Held... “2036, Why Did We Fail? < AI x Failure Idea Competition Poster > KAIST announced on May 18th that the Center for Ambitious Failure (CAF) is holding the ‘2026 AI × Failure Idea Competition’ to explore potential failures and social risks that may arise in a future society where AI has become commonplace, through the eyes of citizens. The theme of this competition is ‘2036, Why Did We Fail? Please write an incorrect-answer note from the future.’ Participants will assume a future in 2036 where AI is deeply integrated across society, and participate in a thought experiment to look back at the causes of possible failures and the signals we missed. Notably, this year's competition features the introduction of the ‘Pre-Mortem (prior failure analysis)’ technique, which assumes failure in advance and analyzes its causes. By combining this method—traditionally used in the field of organizational psychology—with social imagination in the AI era, it has been expanded into a citizen-participatory platform to reflect on and prepare for future risks in advance. The competition focuses on the fact that failures in the AI era are highly likely to occur through a complex intertwining of human judgment, social institutions, and changing relationships, moving beyond simple technological errors. Accordingly, it explains that the process of imagining and reflecting on future failures in advance can be a significant social learning experience in itself, rather than just simple technology forecasting. This competition focuses on the insight to imagine failure and the capacity for logical backtracking, rather than specific technological ideas or implementation capabilities. Participants can submit a one-page proposal structured in three stages: ▲ Anticipated Failure, ▲ Diagnosis of Cause, and ▲ Countermeasures. In last year's competition, 111 teams of undergraduate and graduate students from across the country participated, confirming a high level of interest in the issue of failure in the AI era and the coexistence of humans and technology. Consequently, the Center for Ambitious Failure plans to expand the target participants to the general public this year to explore future failures from the perspectives of a wider range of citizens. Applications will be accepted online from May 18 to July 17. The top 10 teams selected through the first round of written evaluation will participate in the finals presentation and award ceremony to be held at the KAIST Daejeon Main Campus this coming August. The total prize money is 10 million KRW, with the selection of 1 Grand Prize team (3 million KRW • KAIST President's Award), 1 First Prize team (2 million KRW), 2 Excellence Prize teams (1 million KRW each), and 6 Challenge Prize teams (500,000 KRW each). Sung-Hee Cho, Director of the Center for Ambitious Failure, said, "This competition is not an event to simply predict the future, but a collective thought experiment to discover the signals we are missing right now by drawing out failures that have not yet arrived." He added, "I hope it serves as an opportunity for citizens who will live alongside AI to design the future themselves, rather than passively adapting to technological changes." President Kwang Hyung Lee stated, "In the AI era, unexpected failures can emerge along with new possibilities." He added, "KAIST will continue to view failure not as a result to be hidden, but as an important learning process to prepare for the future, and will ponder better directions together with society." Further details can be found on the KAIST Center for Ambitious Failure website (https://caf.kaist.ac.kr).
2026.05.18 View 1059
“Entrepreneurial Mutual Growth Fair 2026” to be Held... KAIST Super Star Companies Gather for AI Solopreneurship, Tech Commercialization, Investment, and Youth Job Fair KAIST announced that it will host the ‘AI Agent-Based Solopreneurship Program Information Session’ and the ‘Entrepreneurial Mutual Growth Fair 2026’ for two days from May 18th to 19th. In this event, KAIST’s new AI-based solopreneurship model, which utilizes AI not merely as an operational tool but as a ‘Co-founder,’ will be introduced in depth. The university will hold an information session for the ‘AI Solopreneur Support Project,’ which enables a single individual to carry out the entire entrepreneurial process—including planning, development, marketing, and fundraising—using AI agents prepared by the university. In this program, 100 prospective entrepreneurs will be selected nationwide, and faculty from the KAIST Institute for Entrepreneurship and the KAIST Graduate School of AI will provide eight weeks of intensive training. Additionally, a network of top-tier domestic and global mentors will be established to support business optimization and linkage with overseas investments. In particular, outstanding teams will be provided with seed investment of up to 100 million KRW, prototype production support, and infrastructure for GPU and AI services. By fostering world-class AI utilization skills in prospective entrepreneurs with diverse domain knowledge, KAIST plans to accelerate the introduction of AI into various domestic industries while nurturing AI business models with global competitiveness. This event is organized as a venue to introduce the KAIST-style full-cycle entrepreneurial ecosystem, encompassing artificial intelligence (AI)-based entrepreneurship, technology commercialization, industry-academic cooperation, investment linkage, and youth job creation. In particular, it will showcase the competitiveness of the deep-tech (advanced technology-based) startup ecosystem from multiple perspectives, focusing on the technological prowess and industrial application cases of KAIST startup companies. Global big tech companies' choice of AI solution providers will also participate to reveal various technologies reflecting the AX (AI Transformation) trend across industries. Actual application cases that supported the digital transformation of major domestic corporations through factory and office automation solutions will also be announced. In the field of robotics, Lion Robotics will introduce field-application technologies based on quadruped robots and leading R&D cases for humanoid robots. In addition, next-generation AI semiconductor startups such as Panmnesia and HyperAccel will present next-generation chip design technologies for implementing On-Device AI. These companies will showcase technologies and business models that can run Large Language Model (LLM)-based AI services faster while reducing dependence on GPUs (Graphics Processing Units). In the deep-tech bio and healthcare AI field, Barreleye will introduce an innovative solution that complements the limitations of traditional MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)-centered diagnosis through AI-based quantitative ultrasound analysis technology. In the bio and medical robot field, Roen Surgical will present next-generation medical innovation cases based on precision surgical robot technology. On the first day of the event, May 18th, the ‘Entrepreneurial Mutual Growth Fair’ will be held in the main hall on the 1st floor of the KI Building along with the ‘AI Agent-Based Solopreneurship Program Information Session.’ Representative startup companies that have led KAIST’s technology commercialization success will participate in this session to share successful technology commercialization models that connected R&D achievements to actual market results. Through this, they plan to present a virtuous cycle for the KAIST startup ecosystem leading from ‘Research → Startup → Investment → Growth.’ Furthermore, KAIST startup companies will operate recruitment sessions alongside technology exhibitions. Participating companies will conduct direct recruitment consultations and talent discovery on-site, providing youth with high-quality, technology-based job opportunities. Through this event, the university plans to support scientific and technological talents so they can advance into startups and industrial fields rather than staying in research, and to lead technology-based entrepreneurship and employment creation. On the second day, May 19th, an ‘Open Innovation Information Session’ will be held to connect KAIST’s research capabilities with industrial demand. At the event, the ‘1 Lab N Startup’ model, which connects KAIST faculty’s technology with corporate R&D needs to promote joint research and commercialization, will be introduced. Industry-academic cooperation strategies that expand beyond technology transfer to joint entrepreneurship and new business creation will also be announced. Following this, in the ‘KAIST Startup Investment Linkage IR Pitching Session,’ the investment attraction program ‘Tech Plaza’ will be operated, featuring five Korean deep-tech bio companies. Companies selected based on the KAIST Startup Platform (KSTP) will present their business models and technological prowess to investors, and tangible investment results are expected through linkage with venture capital (VC) and accelerators. Bae Hyeon-min, Dean of the KAIST Institute for Entrepreneurship, said, “This Entrepreneurial Mutual Growth Fair is an integrated startup platform that connects the entire process from AI-based individual entrepreneurship to technology commercialization, industry-academic cooperation, investment, and job creation. We expect it to serve as an opportunity to present a new direction for the domestic deep-tech startup ecosystem through the success stories of KAIST’s representative startups.” This event is open to students, the general public, corporations, and investment institutions interested in entrepreneurship, and is prepared as a place to directly confirm the innovative achievements and expansion possibilities of the KAIST startup ecosystem. Information regarding the KAIST AI Solopreneurship Program information session and participation applications can be found on the website (https://www.kaist-overedge.com/). By accessing the website, people can watch the information session on YouTube and apply for participation.
2026.05.13 View 5299
Launch of Center for Science Diplomacy... Building a Science Diplomacy Hub for the AI Era < Science Diplomacy Forum Poster > KAIST announced that it has officially launched the ‘KAIST Center for Science Diplomacy (KCSD),’ connecting science and technology with diplomacy, and is holding a global forum on May 13th to commemorate the occasion. Through the Center for Science Diplomacy, our university plans to promote the securing of technological sovereignty and the strengthening of global cooperation, contributing to the resolution of common human challenges such as the climate crisis, aging populations, energy, and digital transformation. This forum was organized to present the strategic direction and execution vision for science diplomacy that South Korea should pursue amidst the intensifying global competition for technological hegemony. In particular, in a situation where the international order is being reshaped around AI and quantum technology, the center will discuss international cooperation and joint response measures with ambassadors from various countries. The forum will begin with an opening address by Bong-kwan Jun, Director of the KAIST Center for Science Diplomacy, and welcoming remarks by President Kwang-hyung Lee. Following this, Jin Park, a visiting professor, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Chair of the Center’s Advisory Committee, will deliver a keynote speech on the topic of ‘The Importance of Science Diplomacy and Future Strategies in the AI Era.’ Professor Jin Park will suggest the roles of South Korea and KAIST in building international trust and achieving common prosperity in an era where technological competition and cooperation coexist. In the subsequent roundtable, attending ambassadors and charges d'affaires from various countries will participate in discussions on the themes of ▲‘Science Diplomacy in the AI Era: Strategies for Technological Sovereignty and Global Cooperation’ and ▲‘Scientific Cooperation for a Sustainable Future: Partnerships for Health, Aging, and Coexistence.’ Participants will exchange views on how each country can secure technological competitiveness and security amidst the changes in industrial and social structures brought about by the AI revolution, while also establishing international norms and platforms for cooperation. Furthermore, they will share cases from countries that have experienced aging societies ahead of others and discuss international cooperation models and global standard-setting measures for innovation in health and medical systems and improving the quality of life for the elderly. In addition, Rainer Wessely, Counselor of the EU Delegation to Korea, will introduce cases of the European Union’s education exchange program ‘Erasmus’ and the research and innovation support program ‘Horizon Europe.’ He will also explore cooperation models for science, technology, and higher education with Asian and African countries, along with strategies for the expansion of the ‘K-Science and Technology Education Model.’ Ambassadors from major countries and organizations, including the EU, Singapore, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, the Philippines, Thailand, Hungary, Mongolia, and Tanzania, have expressed their intent to attend this forum. Deputy ambassadors and officials from the embassies of Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands will also participate, with discussions currently ongoing with additional countries. From our university, experts in AI, aerospace, medical science, and international cooperation will participate as advisory members to engage in in-depth discussions with the ambassadors regarding KAIST's role as a science diplomacy platform for mitigating technological gaps and promoting global cooperation, as well as the policy directions of major nations. KAIST President Kwang-hyung Lee stated, “Science and technology have now moved beyond being simple policy tools to becoming a core engine for building trust between nations and solving the collective problems of humanity.” He added, “We will actively support the KAIST Center for Science Diplomacy so that it can establish itself as a leading platform for global science and technology cooperation.” Meanwhile, this forum is open to anyone free of charge, and registration is available via the online link (https://forms.gle/YCCr8pqkjJr7HahQ7).
2026.05.13 View 1234
KAIST to Host Special Invited Lecture by World-Renowned Neuroscientist Professor Olaf Blanke <Lecture Poster> KAIST announced on May 1st that the KAIST Center for Contemplative Science and the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences will host a two-day special invited lecture by Professor Olaf Blanke from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), a world-renowned scholar in the field of the neuroscience of self-consciousness. The event will take place from Wednesday, May 6th to Thursday, May 7th at the Conference Room in the Meta-Convergence Building on the KAIST Main Campus. Professor Olaf Blanke is the Director of the Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience (LNCO) at EPFL and holds the Bertarelli Foundation Chair in Cognitive Neuroprosthetics*. He is a pioneer in the field of the "neuroscience of self-consciousness," which studies how humans perceive themselves from a brain science perspective. *Cognitive Neuroprosthetics: A technology that connects the brain and machines to supplement or restore damaged sensory or cognitive functions. He has been researching hallucinations and sensory abnormalities—such as feeling as though one's own body belongs to someone else—from a neuroscience perspective, and has achieved unrivaled success in the field of cognitive neuroprosthetics. In particular, he has presented innovative methods for diagnosing and treating Parkinson's disease and dementia using robotic technology and virtual reality (VR). Currently, he also serves as an adjunct professor in the Department of Neuroscience at Geneva University Hospital, actively participating in clinical research to connect the basic research results of his laboratory to actual patient treatment. This lecture series will be divided into two sessions: an academic seminar for professional researchers and a public lecture for the general audience. On the first day, Wednesday, May 6th at 1:00 PM, an academic seminar will be held under the theme of "Technodelics: Inducing and Measuring Hallucinations and Dementia in Parkinson's Disease Patients through the Combination of Robotics, Virtual Reality, and Neurotechnology." 'Technodelics' is a compound word derived from Technology and Psychedelics, referring to research that artificially reproduces specific sensations through advanced technology to analyze their causes. Professor Blanke has demonstrated that giving specific stimuli to the brain using robotic devices and virtual reality (VR) can cause even healthy individuals to temporarily experience hallucinations of sensing someone else's presence. This serves as core evidence for objectively measuring the hallucination symptoms of Parkinson's disease patients and developing digital therapeutics* to alleviate them. This session will be conducted in English for majors and researchers in related fields. *Digital Therapeutics: Software-based medical technology used to prevent, manage, and treat diseases. On the second day, Thursday, May 7th at 2:30 PM, a public lecture will be held under the theme of "From the Neuroscience of Self-Consciousness to Meditation Practice." When one practices meditation deeply, their sense of self changes, or they perceive interoception (internal bodily sensations such as breathing or heartbeat) differently than usual. Professor Blanke plans to explain scientifically that the reason these changes occur is due to alterations in how the brain integrates various sensory information from inside and outside the body. Furthermore, he will introduce research findings on how meditation practice reorganizes the brain's self-consciousness network and promotes mental health. This is expected to expand meditation—which has long been considered a subjective experience—into the domain of objective neuroscience research, while offering a new direction for stress management and psychological healing for people today. Simultaneous Korean translation will be provided for this lecture, and anyone is free to attend. Wan-doo Kim, Director of the KAIST Center for Contemplative Science, stated, "This lecture, where Professor Olaf Blanke will directly explain the meaning of meditation from a neuroscientist's perspective, will provide scientific and profound insights for citizens interested in meditation." The general public can attend free of charge, and registration is available via the link (https://forms.gle/2mU3ErKSw7TuqQj49) or the QR code on the poster.
2026.05.03 View 1754
Professor Hyun Myung Selected for Research Grand Prize at ‘2026 Research Day’ < KAIST Research Day Group Photo > KAIST held the ‘2026 KAIST Research Day’ at the Chung Kunmo Conference Hall in the Academic Cultural Complex at the main Daejeon campus on the morning of the 28th starting at 10:00 AM. ‘Research Day’ is an annual festival for campus researchers that has been held since 2016. It serves as a platform to reward and encourage excellent researchers for their hard work and to exchange R&D information by introducing selected outstanding research achievements. Notably, this year’s award scale was expanded to further encourage researchers and foster an environment conducive to research immersion. The number of Research Award recipients increased from two to four, and Special Research Award recipients from one to two. During the event, Professor Hyun Myung (School of Electrical Engineering), who was selected as the recipient of the Research Grand Prize—the highest research honor—delivered a commemorative lecture titled “Spatial AI-based Autonomous Robot Navigation.” < Professor Hyun Myung Delivering His Lecture > Professor Hyun Myung developed proprietary autonomous robot navigation technology based on spatial AI and applied it to various robot platforms. Recently, he has also been pursuing commercialization through a startup venture. Since joining KAIST in 2008, he has been dedicated to researching autonomous mobile robot technology, applying it to various platforms such as wheeled robots, walking robots, and drones. Furthermore, he has proven his technical prowess by winning numerous international competitions. “By focusing on spatial AI and autonomous navigation technology—the core fields of robotics—for the past 17 years, I have been able to contribute to the localization and independence of mobile robot technology in Korea through industry-academic cooperation and startups,” Professor Myung stated in his acceptance speech. “I am grateful and pleased to have had the opportunity to nurture such excellent research talent.” < Professor Hyun Myung Receiving His Award > In addition, Professor Jae-Hung Han (Department of Aerospace Engineering), Professor Byung-Kwan Cho (Graduate School of Engineering Biology), Professor Joseph Searing (School of Computing), and Professor Hyun-Joo Lee (Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering) were selected as recipients of the Research Award. The Special Research Award was presented to Professor Sun-Chang Kim (Graduate School of Engineering Biology) and Professor Woo-Young Cho (School of Electrical Engineering), while Professor Jae Kyoung Kim (Department of Mathematical Sciences) was selected as the recipient of the Innovation Award. Furthermore, Professor Himchan Cho (Department of Materials Science and Engineering) and Professor Jung-Yong Lee (School of Electrical Engineering) received the Convergence Research Award as a team. Professor Ji-Joon Song (Department of Biological Sciences) was selected for the International Collaborative Research Award, and Professor Bongjin Kim (School of Electrical Engineering) for the QAIST Creative Challenge Research Award. The ceremony also included awards for the ‘2025 Top 10 KAIST Research Achievements’ and the ‘KAIST 14 Future Leading Technologies,’ recognizing outstanding accomplishments in national strategic technology sectors with significant academic, social, and economic impact. President Kwong Hyoung Lee remarked, “Today’s Research Day is a meaningful occasion to share challenging and innovative ideas and to celebrate the achievements of our outstanding researchers. KAIST, which aims for the world’s first and best research, will continue to contribute to the development of the nation and human society through research and leap forward as a leading global institution in science and technology.” < 2026 Research Day Poster >
2026.04.30 View 1816
11 KAIST Professors, Including Professor Meeyoung Cha, Receive Government Awards on Science and ICT Day <(Top row from left) Professors Meeyoung Cha, Won Do Heo, Byungha Shin, Kyung Min Kim, Sue Moon, and Juyoung Kim (Bottom row from left) Professors Jinwoo Shin, Young Jae Jang, Song Chong, Inkyu Park, and Taek-Soo Kim> To mark Science and ICT Day, 11 faculty members from KAIST received government awards at the "2026 Science and ICT Day Ceremony" hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT. Professor Meeyoung Cha (School of Computing) was awarded the Order of Science and Technological Merit (Innovation Medal/Hyeoksin-jang), Professor Won Do Heo (Department of Biological Sciences) received the Order of Science and Technological Merit (Ungbi Medal), and Professor Byungha Shin (Department of Materials Science and Engineering) was honored with the Order of Science and Technological Merit (Doyak Medal). Professors Jinwoo Shin (Kim Jaechul Graduate School of AI), Young Jae Jang (Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering), and Song Chong (Kim Jaechul Graduate School of AI) were awarded the Order of Service Merit (Red Stripes/Hongjo Geunjeong Medal) for their contributions to Information and Communications. In addition, Professor Kyung Min Kim (Department of Materials Science and Engineering) and Professor Sue Moon (School of Computing) received the Science and Technology Medal. Professor Juyoung Kim (School of Electrical Engineering), serving as the CEO of HyperAccel, was awarded the Industrial Service Medal for Information and Communications Merit. Professor Inkyu Park (Department of Mechanical Engineering) received the Presidential Citation, and Professor Taek-Soo Kim (Department of Mechanical Engineering) received the Prime Minister's Citation. In the category of Science and Technology Promotion, Professor Meeyoung Cha received the Order of Science and Technological Merit, Innovation Medal (2nd Class). Professor Cha has led research on solving social issues such as poverty detection based on big data. She was recognized for her contributions to creating academic and social value as the first Korean director at the Max Planck Institute. In the National R&D Performance Evaluation category, Professor Won Do Heo, who has led world-class research in biological sciences, received the Ungbi Medal. Professor Heo pioneered the field of molecular optogenetics in Korea and has contributed to the development of treatment technologies for brain diseases such as stroke, Parkinson's disease, and depression. Professor Byungha Shin received the Doyak Medal for his achievements accumulated over 20 years in the field of solar cells and optoelectronic materials/devices, specifically for developing high-efficiency devices. Professor Jinwoo Shin received the Red Stripes Order of Service Merit for his world-class research in AI and computer science, as well as his contributions to revitalizing the domestic physical AI industry through collaboration with robotics companies. Professor Young Jae Jang was also awarded the Red Stripes Order of Service Merit for establishing a manufacturing physical AI verification system based on cooperation between regions, universities, and research institutes, and for developing "KAIROS," the world's first robot operating platform, which contributed to manufacturing innovation and balanced regional development. Professor Song Chong received the Red Stripes Order of Service Merit for his role as the founding dean of Korea’s first Graduate School of AI, contributing to the cultivation of high-level AI talent and the establishment of an academic foundation. Furthermore, Professor Kyung Min Kim received the Science and Technology Medal for developing the world’s first high-dimensional brain-inspired computing technology that utilizes both heat and electricity, securing original technology for next-generation semiconductors. Professor Sue Moon received the Science and Technology Medal for her outstanding research in computer network performance measurement, online social network analysis, and ultra-high-performance network systems, as well as her efforts in promoting gender equality. Professor Juyoung Kim, as the CEO of the startup HyperAccel, received the Industrial Service Medal for developing "LPU," an AI semiconductor specialized for LLM inference, overcoming the limitations of GPU-centric AI infrastructure and contributing to high-efficiency, low-power AI systems. Professor Inkyu Park received the Presidential Citation for developing the world's first original technologies for ultra-low-power gas sensors and multi-sensors for smart healthcare. Professor Taek-Soo Kim was honored with the Prime Minister's Citation for leading global techniques in measuring and improving the mechanical properties of advanced thin-film materials, contributing to the development of the semiconductor and display industries. The ceremony was held on the 21st at the International Conference Hall of the Korea Federation of Science and Technology Societies. A total of 164 individuals were recognized for their contributions to Science, Technology, and ICT. Among them, 148 received their awards on-site, with a total scale of 36 Orders of Merit, 22 Medals, 47 Presidential Citations, and 59 Prime Minister's Citations.
2026.04.30 View 1268
Professor Yiyun Kang Selected as TED 2026 Main Stage Speaker < Professor Yiyun Kang (Photo Credit: Ryan Lash / TED) > KAIST announced on April 17th that Professor Yiyun Kang of the Department of Industrial Design has been selected as a speaker for the Main Stage at TED 2026, the world-renowned knowledge conference. Founded in 1984 under the motto "Ideas Worth Spreading," TED is an American non-profit knowledge platform where scholars, innovators, and artists from around the globe gather annually to lead global discourse. Previous Korean speakers on the Main Stage include novelist Young-ha Kim (2012) and violinist Ji-hae Park (2013). In 2011, roboticist Professor Dennis Hong stood on the main conference stage as the first Korean-American speaker. < TED Lecture Photo (Photo Credit: Ryan Lash / TED) > Professor Kang’s selection is particularly significant as it marks the first time since TED moved its venue to Vancouver, Canada, in 2014 that a Korean national—an artist and scholar actively based in South Korea, rather than an overseas resident or defector—has been invited to the Main Stage. Furthermore, it marks the return of a Korean speaker to the main stage after a 12-year hiatus, serving as a symbolic milestone. The TED 2026 annual conference is being held from April 13 to 17 at the Vancouver Convention Centre in Canada, under the theme "ALL OF US." Professor Kang took the Main Stage on April 15, the third day of the conference, to present visual insights and philosophical solutions for a future where Artificial Intelligence (AI), humans, and nature must coexist. The lecture video will be edited and released globally via the official TED website and YouTube channel this coming July. In this talk, Professor Kang defines AI and the climate crisis as "problems we understand intellectually but fail to feel physically," noting that data- and information-centric communication methods often lower our sense of reality. She proposes the potential of art as a means to bridge this gap. Specifically, Professor Kang will demonstrate on stage how to transform complex challenges into visual and sensory experiences through cases from her own projects. Notably, this presentation transcends traditional lecture formats, structured as an "Immersive Talk" that transforms the entire stage into an artistic space. Rather than just listening, the audience participates by experiencing the content with their entire bodies. Professor Yiyun Kang is a world-class media artist and researcher who crosses the boundaries between sensation and technology, and materiality (physical forms) and immateriality (elements like light, video, and data). She leads the Experience Design Lab (XD Lab) at KAIST and has consistently explored the convergence of technology and art through collaborations with NASA, Google Arts & Culture, and the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A). "Humanity is currently at a critical turning point that will determine the coexistence of technology and nature," Professor Kang stated. "Through this TED stage, I aim to ensure that AI and the climate crisis are perceived not just as mere information, but as realities of our lives. I hope to create a practical opportunity to expand fragmented individual perceptions into collective human solidarity through the creative energy of art." < TED 2026 Professor Yiyun Kang (Source: TED Website) >
2026.04.18 View 3076
AI, Humanoid Robots, and Space Rovers to Gather: Experience Future Technologies at the Science Festival <(From left) Photos of the KAIST Science Festival exhibition hall and booths from the previous year> KAIST announced on April 10th that KAIST will participate in the ‘2026 Korea Science and Technology Festival,’ the largest science festival in the country, to mark Science Month in April. KAIST will operate ‘KAIST Play World,’ an interactive exhibition hall showcasing the pinnacle of AI and robotics. This year’s festival will be held in two parts: ‘2026 Korea Science Festival in Daejeon (April 17–19)’ and ‘2026 Korea Science Festival in Gyeonggi (April 24–26).’ KAIST will host consecutive exhibitions at the Daejeon DCC (Second Exhibition Hall) and KINTEX in Ilsan. Under the ‘Play World’ concept, KAIST plans to offer differentiated interactive content tailored to various generations. In particular, on-site events and souvenirs featuring the KAIST character ‘Nupjuk-i’ will be provided to enhance visitor engagement. □ [Daejeon] From Humanoid Robots to Space Rovers and AI Semiconductor Friend ‘BROCA’ The exhibition at Daejeon DCC from April 17 to 19 will feature ‘Future Tech Experience Content’ centered on advanced robotics, space technology, and AI semiconductor technology, allowing visitors to experience KAIST's core research achievements firsthand. First, a humanoid robot equipped with control technology developed by Eurobotics Co., Ltd., a startup from Professor Myung Hyun’s research team in the School of Electrical Engineering, will be unveiled on the 17th. This robot is gaining attention as a next-generation platform capable of natural walking in both industrial and urban environments. Additionally, on the 19th, a humanoid robot from Professor Park Hae-won’s team in the Department of Mechanical Engineering will demonstrate high-difficulty human movements such as the duck walk and moonwalk, showcasing its potential for practical industrial use. Professor Lee Dae-young’s team in the Department of Aerospace Engineering will present the world’s first deployable lunar rover wheel based on origami technology. Visitors can touch the transformable wheel model and observe space rover demonstrations and displays by the co-developer, Unmanned Exploration Laboratory (UEL). Educational sessions for folding various space systems using origami will also be available. Along with this, visitors can experience advanced human-machine interaction through ‘BROCA,’ a mobile social AI agent that builds relationships with users beyond simple Q&A, and the voice-capable guide robot ‘On-Newro,’ developed by Professor Yoo Hoi-jun’s team at the AI Semiconductor Graduate School. The student startup ‘Liar Games’ will operate a trial zone for ‘Dual Focus,’ an abstract strategy board game where players compete 1:1 against AI. Similar to the deep strategic play of chess or Go, the rules are intuitive enough to learn in 5 minutes, which is expected to stimulate the challenge-seeking spirit of visitors. < (Top row from left) Professor Park Hae-won’s humanoid robot, Professor Yoo Hoi-jun’s BROCA, (Bottom row from left) Eurobotics’ humanoid walking technology capable of overcoming any terrain based on a mobile kit, Professor Lee Dae-young’s storable and deployable rover for lunar exploration > □ [Gyeonggi] ‘Raibo’ the Rough-Terrain Robot and AI-Based Future Experiences The Gyeonggi exhibition at KINTEX from April 24 to 26 will focus on ‘Life-Oriented Experience Content’ centered on AI and everyday technology. ‘Raibo,’ a quadrupedal robot developed by Professor Hwangbo Jemin’s team in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, is capable of high-speed movement on complex terrains such as sand, stairs, and debris, and is expected to be utilized for disaster relief and search missions. Visitors can experience Raibo’s driving technology directly at the site. The ‘Future Memories Studio’ from Professor Nam Tek-jin’s team in the Department of Industrial Design will provide a new experience where visitors can meet and talk to their future selves 10 years later, recreated using AI-generated visuals and voices. Participants will receive a four-cut photo capturing a moment that is the future for their current self but a memory for their future self. Professor Yun Yun-jin’s team at the KAIST Urban AI Research Center will present technology that analyzes the impact of climate change on small business sales through ‘AI-based Sight and Sound for Heatwave Consumption Index.’ They will showcase time-series AI-based sales prediction technology and generative AI technology that expresses this visually and audibly. Furthermore, Professor Yun’s lecture, “City Walk of Artificial Intelligence: Urban AI and the Future of Cities,” will be held on April 24 (Fri) at 15:00 in KINTEX Meeting Room 206. In addition, Professor Yoo Hoi-jun’s team from the AI Semiconductor Graduate School will continue from the Daejeon exhibition to operate an experience zone for various mobile AI agents based on AI semiconductors. Also, the student startup Rabbithole Company will introduce a new type of game where AI NPCs (Non-Player Characters) converse and cooperate to solve given problems. Visitors can participate by observing the process where AI characters create their own stories by being presented with situations or goals instead of being directly controlled. < (Top row from left) Professor Hwangbo Jemin’s Raibo, Professor Nam Tek-jin’s team: Met My Future Self 10 Years Later, (Bottom row from left) Professor Yun Yun-jin’s Seeing and Hearing Heatwave Consumption Index through AI, Game image from CEO Kim Na-hoon’s Rabbithole Company > Through the exhibitions in both regions, KAIST plans to operate various participatory programs to make science and technology easy and fun to approach, vividly conveying how technology from the laboratory transforms our lives. KAIST President Lee Kwang-hyung remarked, “This year’s science festival is a large-scale event connecting Daejeon and Gyeonggi, allowing more citizens to experience KAIST’s innovative research achievements firsthand.” He added, “I hope this will be a precious time for people to experience the future created by robots and AI, fostering their dreams and curiosity about science.”
2026.04.13 View 5779
Undergraduate Rover Team (MR2) Advances to Finals of 'URC 2026', the World’s Largest Mars Rover Competition <Photo: KAIST Undergraduate Club MR2 Team Members> Undergraduate students from KAIST are set to take on the world stage with an exploration rover—a robotic vehicle designed to explore in place of humans—that they built themselves. The team has secured a spot in the finals of the world’s largest Mars rover competition, marking a first-ever achievement for KAIST. KAIST announced on the 3rd that 'MR2' (Advised by Professor Yong-Hwa Park, Department of Mechanical Engineering), a rover team from the undergraduate robotics club MR (Microrobot Research), has earned a seed in the finals of the '2026 University Rover Challenge (URC)', the premier international Mars rover competition for university students. The URC is organized by The Mars Society and takes place at the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) in Utah, USA, an environment that closely mimics the Martian surface. Participating teams compete in four key missions using rovers they developed: ▲Science Mission, ▲Delivery Mission, ▲Equipment Servicing Mission, and ▲Autonomous Navigation Mission. This year’s competition saw 116 university teams from 18 countries engage in a fierce preliminary round. Team MR2 secured its place in the top 38 finalists by scoring 95.38 out of 100. This milestone is particularly significant as it is the first time a KAIST team has ever reached the URC finals, proving the excellence of KAIST undergraduates in robot design and control on a global scale. The next-generation exploration rover 'GAP-1000', independently developed by MR2, is a modular rover designed for stable operation in extreme environments. It features a 6-DOF (Degrees of Freedom) robotic arm capable of precisely controlling objects over 5kg, allowing it to perform complex equipment manipulation tasks. <Photo: Operation of GAP-1000's Manipulator and Science Module Integration> The rover also boasts strong autonomous driving capabilities. By combining RTK-GNSS (precision satellite positioning), IMU (Inertial Measurement Units) for motion sensing, and odometry based on wheel rotation, it can autonomously navigate optimal paths through complex terrain. Additionally, a drone relay system has been integrated to ensure stable exploration even in areas with communication dead zones. For the science mission, the rover can collect soil from 10cm underground, remove impurities via centrifugation, and analyze traces of life using protein detection reagents such as Biuret and Bradford. This is paired with spectroscopic analysis technology that identifies material composition by analyzing light wavelengths, creating an integrated system for real-time life detection. "We experienced a lot of trial and error while managing everything from design to production ourselves, but I am thrilled that we achieved KAIST’s first-ever advancement to the finals," said Myung-woo Jung (Department of Mechanical Engineering), the team leader of MR2. "We will prepare thoroughly in the remaining time to achieve a great result on-site." <Photo: Scenery of MDRS in Utah, USA, where the competition will be held (Photo Credit: The Mars Society)> Advising Professor Yong-Hwa Park noted, "It is impressive that the students independently implemented a rover for extreme environments. This competition will serve as an opportunity to showcase KAIST’s technological prowess to the world." KAIST President Kwang-Hyung Lee added, "It is a very meaningful achievement for our undergraduates to reach the finals of the world’s largest competition with a rover they designed and built themselves. I hope this experience serves as a catalyst for our students to challenge themselves and grow on the global stage." Team MR2 consists of 13 undergraduate students from various majors, including Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Industrial Design. Having completed long-distance operation tests in outdoor environments, they are currently conducting final checks for the finals. The main competition will be held from May 27th to 30th at the MDRS in Utah, USA. ※ Related Links MR2 Official Website: https://urc-kaist.github.io/ MR2 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/urc_mr2/ MR2 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MR2KAISTRoverTeam
2026.04.03 View 3433
Excellence Award at the 4th Wonik Next-Generation Engineering Award < 4th Wonik Next-Generation Engineering Award hosted by the National Academy of Engineering of Korea (NAEK)> At the 4th Wonik Next-Generation Engineering Award hosted by the National Academy of Engineering of Korea (NAEK), KAIST Ph.D candidate Yehhyun Jo from the Department of Electrical Engineering(Advisor: Professor Hyunjoo J. Lee) and Ph.D candidate Seokjoo Cho from the Department of Mechanical Engineering(Advisor: Prof. Inkyu Park) received Excellence Awards. Yehhyun Jo was selected in recognition of the development of a system that enables the precise modulation and observation of brain functions by integrating ultrasound neuromodulation technology, MEMS, and biosignal measurement technology. As a leading researcher in ultrasound brain stimulation in Korea, Yehhyun has contributed to the advancement of next-generation neuroengineering research by publishing six SCI(E)-indexed first-author papers. In acceptance speech, Yehhyun Jo remakred, “It is a great honor to receive the Excellence Award at the Wonik Next-Generation Engineering Award hosted by the National Academy of Engineering of Korea. I believe this award represents not only my personal achievements, but also the collective efforts of my advisor, fellow researchers, and my parents and brother, who have supported my research behind the scenes. Going forward, I will continue to develop and validate technologies grounded firmly in fundamental principles so that engineering innovation can reach real clinical and industrial settings, and I will strive to become a great researcher who contributes to society through responsible research.” <(From Left) Ph.D candidate Yehhyun Jo, Ph.D candidate Seokjoo Cho> Seokjoo Cho was selected for developing a wireless multi-modal sensing system based on nano- and micro-fabrication processes for the management of chronic wounds and metabolic diseases. Through this related work, Seokjoo has published 25 SCI(E)-indexed papers and is leading technological innovation in next-generation healthcare sensor platforms. He accepted the award, saying, “I am sincerely grateful to receive the great honor of the Wonik Next-Generation Engineering Award. Winning an award that I have long dreamed of as a researcher during my graduate studies brings me both deep fulfillment and a strong sense of responsibility. Taking this award as an opportunity, I will continue striving to grow as a researcher who does not lose sight of my original motivation and who can create meaningful value for society.” The Wonik Next-Generation Engineering Award is presented to undergraduate and graduate students in engineering-related fields in Korea to recognize creative and ambitious future engineers in the materials, components, and equipment sectors and support their growth into engineers who contribute to solving social problems. The award ceremony was held on the afternoon of March 10 at the Grand Walkerhill Seoul Hotel in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul.
2026.04.01 View 1407