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Hanyang University

AI and Tech in Korea: A Cultural and Technological Perspective

Hanyang University via FutureLearn

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Overview

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Why Korea became a powerhouse in AI, Big Data, and digital tech

Whether it’s K-Pop’s virtual idols or smart cities that respond to citizens in real time, Korea’s digital transformation is reshaping technology’s role in society.

On this six-week course, you’ll follow Korea’s remarkable journey from post-war nation to global tech leader. Learn how artificial intelligence, Big Data, and innovation became woven into the fabric of Korean life, influencing everything from entertainment and education to healthcare and urban planning.

Each week takes you deeper into a different facet of Korea’s digital ecosystem, revealing how cultural values and technological ambition create something truly distinctive.

Trace Korea’s technological rise

Korea’s transformation didn’t happen by accident. Strategic government policies, massive infrastructure investment, and a culture that embraces change created the perfect conditions for tech leadership.

You’ll trace the path from recovery to one of the world’s most connected societies.

Unearth AI that lives in the real world

Virtual K-Pop stars performing to millions. Machine learning algorithms teaching themselves Korean. Healthcare systems predicting patient needs before symptoms appear.

How does Korea apply AI and Big Data across sectors, creating solutions that feel both futuristic and deeply practical? Through real examples, you’ll understand what happens when technology meets cultural creativity.

The questions that matter

Every innovation brings responsibility. Korea’s approach to surveillance, data privacy, and AI ethics offers vital lessons for any digital society.

Engage with the dilemmas facing policymakers, start-ups, and citizens as they navigate trust, transparency, and technological progress. You’ll walk away with the insight to think critically about AI’s role in shaping our collective future.

This course is ideal for international learners, tech enthusiasts, and professionals keen to understand Korea’s influence on global AI, Big Data, and IT innovation.

Syllabus

  • From War to Wired: Korea’s Tech Rise
    • Course Introduction
    • Historical Continuity: Heritage as Foundation
    • Post-War Recovery (1950s)
    • Government-Led Industrialization (1960s–1980s)
    • Digital Transformation (1990s–2000s)
    • Mobile-First and 5G Leadership (2010s–Present)
    • Big Data and Smart Ecosystems
    • Wrap-Up
  • AI meets K-contents
    • Introduction
    • AI Meets K-Contents
    • Personalized K-Contents
    • Real-Time Stages and Visual AI
    • Digital Doppelgänger
    • Wrap-up
  • The Language of AI: Teaching Machines Korean
    • Introduction
    • Why Korean Is Hard for AI
    • Development of Korean Specific AI Models
    • Bridging Global and Korean AI
    • Future Directions
    • Conclusion
    • Quiz
  • AI in Health, Education and Business
    • Introduction
    • AI in Heathcare
    • AI in Education
    • AI in Entertainment
    • AI in Public Services
    • AI in Business & Economy
    • Privacy and Ethic in AI
    • Wrap-up
  • Surveillance and Trust
    • Introduction
    • AI and Smart Cities
    • The Promise of AI
    • The Threat of Surveillance
    • Finding a Balance
    • The Role of Technology
    • Korea's Legal Framework
    • The Future of AI
  • The Future of AI and Tech in Korea
    • Introduction
    • Korea's AI Strategy 2030 and National Vision
    • AI in Industries, Education, and Daily Life
    • Start-ups, Unicorns, and Innovation Ecosystem
    • Data and Cloud Infrastructure for AI Growth
    • Global Cooperation and Ethical AI
    • Challenges and Future Outlook

Taught by

Hosung Jo

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