Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) announced on the 4th that it has been finally selected in the artificial intelligence (AI) field for the '2026 Advanced Industry Talent Training Bootcamp' project, led by the Ministry of Education and the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT).

The 'Advanced Industry Talent Training Bootcamp' project is a program in which universities and companies jointly develop and operate short-term intensive training programs to rapidly cultivate work-ready professionals who can be deployed immediately to fast-changing advanced industry sites.

With this selection, JBNU will secure national funding of 1,425,000,000 won annually for five years, totaling 7,125,000,000 won. Based on this, JBNU will launch the 'Defense AI–Specialized Bootcamp' to respond to the rapid growth of the Korean defense industry (K-Defense) and the demand of national strategic industries.

The core of the project is to cultivate defense-industry AI specialists who not only acquire AI technical skills but also understand and can apply the specific characteristics of the defense field. The curriculum is organized around four focus areas: ▲Autonomous Mobility Systems (unmanned aerial vehicles, robots, etc.) ▲Defense Industry Management and MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) ▲Military Logistics AX (AI Transition) ▲Cybersecurity.

In particular, to maximize industry practical capabilities, JBNU has partnered with leading domestic defense and IT companies. Major defense companies such as KAI (Korea Aerospace Industries), Hyundai Rotem, Korean Air, and Hanwha Systems, as well as advanced technology firms including CrowdWorks, 42Maru, Innotium, Hancom Lifecare, Deck Carbon, and Camtic Comprehensive Technology Institute, will participate extensively in curriculum development and operation.

Through these industry–university joint projects and field-customized training, JBNU plans to produce approximately 650 practical professionals over five years.

Participating students will receive micro-degrees through level-based intensive training. Through close cooperation with participating companies, they will undertake practical projects and receive exceptional employment support benefits such as priority hiring and additional hiring points.

JBNU already launched the country’s first undergraduate program in Advanced Defense Industry in March this year. With selection for this bootcamp project, JBNU expects to strengthen its position as the hub for cultivating defense industry talent in Korea, encompassing both degree programs and short-term intensive courses.

Overall Project Director Kang Eun-ho, Head of the Department of Advanced Defense Industry at JBNU, stated, "This selection once again demonstrates our university's outstanding research capabilities in defense AI and robotics. We will nurture defense Physical AI talent that can respond immediately to the field needs of K-Defense companies and lead the future of K-Defense."