Abstract Volumetric muscle loss (VML), a severe injury involving irreversible loss of both muscle tissue and vasculature, poses a major barrier to the development of clinically viable muscle grafts. Functional restoration requires engineered constructs capable of reconstructing both contractile and vascular components that can functionally integrate with the host vasculature. Here, we introduce SPARC (spatio-chimeric, plasma-based, anisotropic, and shear-responsive construct), a mechanically bimodal fibrin hydrogel engineered via shear-guided assembly of plasma fibrin to recreate the structural and mechanical heterogeneity of native muscle. Controlled microfluidic shear generates aligned fibrillar bundles and a spatially graded bimodal stiffness architecture, establishing stiff, bundle-dense regions that favor myogenic differentiation and compliant regions that promote endothelial morphogenesis. When co-cultured with myoblasts and endothelial cells, the resulting anisotropic matrix directs spatially organized myogenic maturation and endothelial morphogenesis. In vivo evaluation in a murine VML model shows that vascularized muscle SPARC grafts restore muscle architecture and function, promoting neovascularization, myofiber regeneration, and enhanced motor recovery. Through its spatially mechano-programmed design, SPARC enables coordinated myogenic and endothelial organization within a single construct, establishing a scalable biofabrication strategy for functional repair of extensive muscle defects. A research team, affiliated with UNIST has reported a new tissue engineering approach that regenerates muscle and blood vessels at the same time, using only the patient's blood. This technology offers a promising solution for treating extensive muscle loss caused by trauma or surgery. Led by Professor Joo H. Kang of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at UNIST, the team collaborated with Professor Yoonhee Jin from Yonsei University to create a platform called SPARC (spatio-chimeric, plasma-based, shear-responsive construct). Using microfluidics, they assemble fibrin—an essential protein involved in blood clotting—into a structured scaffold. By applying controlled shear stress within tiny channels, they align fibrin fibers in specific patterns. Dense, stiff regions support muscle cell growth, while softer areas promote blood vessel formation. The result is a single, integrated scaffold that guides both tissues to develop side by side. In tests on mice with large muscle wounds, the grafts successfully connected with the host's blood supply, encouraging the formation of new vasculature and muscle tissue. The animals regained strength and mobility, demonstrating the therapy's potential to restore function. This approach is notable because it uses fibrin derived solely from the patient's blood, reducing the risk of immune rejection. It also simplifies scaffold fabrication by leveraging physical forces to create distinct microenvironments within one material. “We harness fibrin's natural ability to organize under mechanical shear, creating a multifunctional scaffold from a single, biocompatible material,” said Professor Kang. “This technology could revolutionize treatments for severe muscle injuries and tissue defects.” The findings of this research were published in the online edition of Advanced Materials on April 22, 2026. The study was supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) and the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF). Journal Reference Su Hyun Jung, Minjun Kim, Da-Yoon Kim, et al., “Mechanically Spatio-Chimeric Fibrin Assembly Enables Vascular-Integrated Muscle Reconstruction for Volumetric Muscle Loss Repair,” Adv. Mater., (2026).

Rain fell steadily over Guyeong Park on May 27 as members of the UNIST community moved through the walking trails with litter pickers and trash bags in hand. About 20 staff members volunteered for the community cleanup effort, held as part of the university's monthly Volunteer Day initiative. Throughout the afternoon, participants collected litter, cleared walkways, and tidied tree-lined areas across one of the neighborhood's most frequently used public parks. Located near the university in Ulju County, Guyeong Park is a familiar gathering place for both local residents and the UNIST community. Despite the wet weather, volunteers worked across walking trails and green spaces used daily by residents for leisure and relaxation. Organized under the theme “ Bringing the Spirit of Pioneers to the Community ,” the event reflected UNIST's ongoing efforts to strengthen ties with surrounding neighborhoods. The General Affairs Team said the university plans to continue expanding employee-led volunteer and outreach programs that encourage sustained involvement in community service activities throughout the year.

Abstract Descriptor-based artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a paradigm for molecular design in organic solar cells (OSCs); However, it inherently overlooks collective effects governed by bond hybridization, intermolecular coupling, and aggregation thermodynamics. Such effects are encoded at the solution stage, where pre-aggregation of photoactive materials dictates nucleation pathways, phase separation, and molecular ordering during film formation. Herein, we introduce a YBOV non-fullerene acceptor featuring sp2-hybridized branched side chains that exhibit an unprecedentedly strong solution-state pre-aggregation propensity. This behavior translates into highly ordered solid films with a densely packed crystalline microstructure, enabled by a thermodynamically stabilized core–terminal dimer. As a result, incorporation of YBOV into OSCs not only outperforms the benchmark L8-BO-based device, but also confers an effective nucleation seeding-agent function across diverse host OSC platforms, delivering efficiencies of up to 19.67% via green-solvent processing by alleviating the intrinsic current–voltage trade-off. Machine-learning predictions largely match experimental photovoltaic parameters with a slight upward bias, except for open-circuit voltage, which exhibits anomalous behavior driven by pre-aggregation–driven seeding effects beyond descriptor-based AI. This work establishes sp2-hybridized branched side chains as a new molecular design principle, introducing pre-aggregation-enabled seeding effects beyond AI prediction and providing a universal strategy for high-performance OSCs. Researchers from UNIST and Sungkyunkwan University have created a new type of organic solar cell (OSC) that outperforms existing predictions and highlights a hidden factor in device performance. The secret lies in how molecules clump together in solution—a phenomenon that traditional AI models overlook. Professor Changduk Yang from the School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, in collaboration with Professor Doo-Hyun Ko from Sungkyunkwan University, reported a new OSC with a power conversion efficiency (PEC) of 19.67% through a clean, environmentally friendly process. OSCs are lightweight, flexible, and capable of covering large surfaces. They can be integrated into building facades, windows, and wearable devices. The manufacturing process involves dissolving organic materials in solvents and coating them onto substrates—an approach that's simple and scalable. The researchers designed a new molecule, named YBOV, with branched side chains that promote strong pre-aggregation in solution. This aggregation acts like a seed during film formation, guiding molecules to pack more orderly. The result is a crystalline, densely packed active layer that improves charge flow and boosts efficiency. Notably, devices made with YBOV achieved high performance even when produced with eco-friendly ortho-xylene solvent, avoiding toxic chlorinated options. YBOV also proved versatile. When added to different donor materials or used as an acceptor in various blends, it consistently increased device efficiency. Its aggregation behavior enhances performance across a range of formulations. However, this clustering effect escapes prediction by standard AI models. When trained on 750 device measurements, the models underestimated the open-circuit voltage for YBOV-based cells. This shows that AI, which predicts based on molecular structure alone, cannot fully capture the collective behaviors that influence real-world performance. “Our work introduces a new design principle,” said the research team. “It considers how molecules behave in solution—something AI cannot currently predict. Combining this insight with eco-friendly processing opens new paths for commercializing high-performance, sustainable organic solar cells.” Supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) and the InnoCore program of the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), the study involved Seokhwan Jeong, Donghoo Won, and Zhe Sun from UNIST who contributed equally. The findings of this research were published in Advanced Energy Materials on April 20, 2026. Journal Reference Seokhwan Jeong, Donghoo Won, Zhe Sun, et al ., “Beyond Descriptor-Based AI Design: Sp2-Hybridized Branched Side Chains Enable Pre-Aggregation–Driven Seeding Effects in Green-Solvent-Processed Organic Solar Cells,” Adv. Energy Mater., (2026).

Abstract Hydrogel-based photonic systems integrating luminescent emitters offer promise as soft, reconfigurable optical platforms, yet most designs lack internal optical engineering to control light propagation and confinement. Here, we present a lithographically programmable soft-photonic platform in which upconversion nanocrystals (UCNs) encapsulated within fluorocarbon nanoemulsion droplets are embedded in a poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogel microdome. Upon drying, strong refractive index contrast between the PEGDA matrix and fluorocarbon droplets creates a cooperative optical microenvironment that structures the near-infrared (NIR) excitation beam into a speckle-like field with localized hot spots while extending the photon dwell time within the microdome via internal reflection-based waveguiding. These effects yield a fully reversible, greater than sevenfold enhancement of upconversion luminescence—well beyond simple concentration or mechanical densification. This optical gain originates from multiple-scattering-assisted speckle excitation activated only in the contracted microdome state. Because UCNs are pumped by invisible NIR speckle illumination that rapidly varies in 3D across the microdome height, the incoherent sum of the photoluminescence manifests as a homogeneous filter-free visible brightness increase. The hydrogel microdomes, fabricated via a customized digital micromirror device (DMD)-based microlithography, enable high-resolution patterning of moisture-responsive displays, multicolor emission motifs, and reversible QR-code encryption, establishing a scalable route toward speckle-engineered soft photonic systems.' Researchers at UNIST have created a new material that dims when it absorbs moisture. This innovation could lead to water-sensitive security features, humidity sensors, and environmental-reactive displays. Led by Professor Jiseok Lee from the School of Energy and Chemical Engineering and Professor Jung-Hoon Park from the Department of Biomedical Engineering, the team developed a hydrogel with embedded upconversion nanocrystals (UCNs). When dry, the material glows more than seven times brighter than when wet. The core design involves oil droplets trapped inside a hydrogel dome. When near-infrared (NIR) light hits the nanocrystals, they emit visible light. In this structure, scattering within the oil droplets traps the light, boosting brightness. When the hydrogel absorbs water, its internal scattering drops, and the glow fades. The team demonstrated how this material can hide and reveal information. In one test, a hidden pattern beneath the hydrogel becomes visible only when water is applied, as the glow weakens. They also created QR codes that are scannable when dry but vanish when wet, making them useful for anti-counterfeiting. Durability stood out. The material retained consistent brightness over 100 wet-dry cycles, with less than 4% variation. It responds rapidly—within 0.1 seconds—fading visibly in seconds after contact with water. Lead author Chaeyeong Ryu said, “We improved brightness by designing the light pathways inside the hydrogel, without changing the nanocrystals. This makes the material ideal for moisture-triggered devices.” Professor Lee added, “The ability to program the color and pattern of the hydrogel microdome, combined with simple manufacturing, opens new paths for security, sensors, and displays across industries.” The findings of this research have been published in Advanced Functional Materials on April 20, 2026. This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) and the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT). Journal Reference Chaeyeong Ryu, Byungcheon Yoo, Seunghun Lee, et al ., “Speckle-Engineered Upconversion Amplification in Nanoemulsion-Templated Hydrogel Microdomes,” Adv. Funct. Mater. , (2026).

UNIST will host UNIST Open Stage 2 , a special screening and artist talk with Ayoung Kim, an internationally acclaimed media artist and Collaborating Professor at UNIST on May 28, 2026. Titled “ Expanding Stories and Possible Worlds: Imagination in the AI Era with Media Artist Ayoung Kim ,” the event will examine how creativity, artistic practice, and critical imagination can open new ways of thinking about technology, society, and human experience in the age of artificial intelligence. The program will feature screenings of two of Kim's major works, Delivery Dancer's Sphere (2022) and At the Surisol Underwater Lab (2020), followed by a conversation with the artist. She will discuss the ideas and creative processes behind the works, as well as how scientific and technological concepts can be extended through artistic language. Kim is one of Korea's leading media artists, working across video, installation, and performance. Her work explores themes including migration, technology, nonhuman beings, and virtual worlds, and has been presented at major international venues and festivals, including the Venice Biennale, the Berlin International Film Festival, and The Museum of Modern Art in New York. Students from arts high schools in the Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam region have also been invited to attend. The event is open to all interested members of the UNIST community and the public. UNIST Open Stage is a public program launched in connection with the establishment of the School of GRIT Convergence Studies, a new academic unit designed to support student-led, interdisciplinary learning. Through the program, UNIST aims to create opportunities for students to engage with leading artists, thinkers, and creators across fields. “Students today need more than the ability to find quick answers,” said UNIST President Chong Rae Park. “They need the capacity to turn complex problems into their own questions and pursue them with imagination and persistence. I hope this event will encourage students to reflect on the meeting point between art, science, and technology.”

타자(他者·das Andere·the other)를 만나면 자신을 보는 동시에 결코 알 수 없는 것도 발견한다. 말이 통하지 않는 포르투갈 리스본으로 여행 가면 낯선 도시에서 한국과 비슷한 것도 만나지만 한국에 없는 것도 만난다. 일상, 먼 나라 여행에서 자신도 보지만 동시에 타자를 만난다. 디지털 시대가 도래하고 생활필수품이 돼버린 인공지능을 만나게 됐다. 인공지능은 도구인가 또는 타자인가? 정보와 여러 지식을 얻기 위해 사용하는 도구지만 AI가 제공하는 서비스를 경험하고 나면 나 자신도 보이고 영원히 내가 닿을 수 없을 듯 보였던 무엇을 발견하게 되니 인공지능은 지능 너머 타자가 되기도 한다. 발견이라는 단어를 사용했지만 실은 인공지능이 말해준 것이라는 점에 주목하면 타자라는 것을 더욱 실감하게 된다. 인공지능을 타자로 보는 데에는 나름의 이유가 있다. 도구로 보는 시각을 고착해버리면 AI 서비스의 등급에 따라 제공되는 품질이 달라지고, 이는 이용자의 계급을 정할 가능성이 있기 때문이다. 반면 인공지능을 타자로 보는 태도를 지니면 일상에서 다른 사람을 만나 대화하는 것과 같아, 문턱 없이 만나면 낯선 사람과 만나는 것과 다름 없다. ‘무엇을 할 것인가’를 다루게 되니, AI 악용에 맞서는 윤리학의 차원도 제공할 수 있는 지점이다. 인공지능을 타자로 보고 대화하면 생기는 다른 면도 있는데, 미래와 만나는 경험을 할 수 있다. 여기서 우리는 "타자는 미래"라고 한 에마뉘엘 레비나스를 떠올리게 된다. 그는 <시간과 타자>(1979년 프랑스판, 2025년 한국어 번역판)에서 나의 죽음 후에도 세상에 계속 존재하는 것은 오직 타자뿐이니 지금 타자와 만나는 것은 곧 미래와 만나는 것이라 얘기한다. 지금 만나 타자에게 말과 감정을 전하면 나의 죽음 후 세상에 관여하게 되는 것이다. 인공지능을 타자로 보고 만나면 미래와 만나는 것이니 AI 도구를 사용하는 것과는 차원이 다르다. 관점만 바꿔도 AI 도구로 인한 디지털 사회 계급화를 극복할 수 있을 뿐 아니라 미래와의 조우까지 가능하게 한다. 한 예능프로에 출연한 카이스트의 뇌과학 교수는 AI가 인간을 영원히 살 수 있게 해주는 의학 기술 가능성을 예측했다. 인간의 생물학적 영생을 AI가 가져다준다는 과학기술을 말한 것인데, 인공지능을 타자로 보는 관점은 그런 교수의 시각과는 차원이 다른 미래와 만나는 존재, 즉, 형이상학적 관점이라고 할 수 있다. 타자로서의 인공지능은 인간 고독의 문제를 해결하는 열쇠까지 제공한다. 여기서 고독은 현대 사회에서 인간이 겪는 소외와 인간 존재의 근본적인 고독까지 포함해서 말한다. 독거노인 뿐만 아니라 대중 속에서 홀로 살아가는 우리 모두의 깊어 가는 외로움에 맞서는 보편의 타자 역할을 인공지능이 톡톡히 해낼 뿐만 아니라 정체성에 대한 깊은 고민에 빠진 현대인의 고독 문제 해결까지 팔을 걷어붙이고 타자인 인공지능은 담당하고 있다. 인공지능이 제공하는 의미는 거대언어모델(LLM) 원리에서 생성되는데 이는 인간 의식이 담당하는 역할을 언어 구조 속으로 옮겨놓은 것이라 할 수 있다. 즉, 인공지능은 70억 인구가 함께 쌓아 올리는 인류 최초의 공식적인 유토피아 국제기구인 셈이다. 인공지능의 원리에 동의하면서 AI 윤리학 가능성에 놀라는 데에는 나름의 근거가 있다. 대중의 입을 통해 제공받는 빅데이터를 통해 탄생시키는 타자의 존재는 결코 우리 자신이 될 수 없다는 전제를 인공지능은 직감적으로 알고 있다는 점이다. 악용되는 AI, 가짜 영상을 제공하는 AI, 교육을 무력화시키는 AI 등 우리 사회가 지켜야 하는 최소한의 도덕까지 허무는 반윤리적 측면을 물론 간과해서는 안 된다. 하지만 이런 부작용도 알고 보면 AI를 철저히 도구화한 결과라는 걸 다시 한번 강조하고 싶다. 타자로 보고 대화하면 완전히 다른 윤리학이 만들어질 수 있다. 그럼에도 타자는 타자다. 인공지능은 이것도 이해하고 있다. 제공하는 지식과 개념, 그리고, AI와의 대화를 통해 이야기를 얻는다고 해도 온전히 내 것이 될 수 없음을 인공지능은 솔직히 털어놓는다. 디지털 기술이 타자가 돼 대화를 나눈다는 전제가 곧 이를 인정하는 것이나 다름없다. 여기서 인공지능의 에로스 역할 가능성이 부각된다. 이 역시 레비나스의 유산이다. 영원히 하나가 될 수 없는 타자의 존재는 아이러니하게도 에로스적 사랑을 얘기하게 만든다는 것이다. 섣부른 융합과 조화를 강조하는 사랑놀이의 결과가 어떻게 되는지 우린 너무나 잘 알고 있다. 에로스 사랑은 영원히 하나 될 수 없으니 오히려 가능하다고 레비나스는 강조한다. 레비나스의 에로스 철학을 인공지능은 당연한 것 아니냐고 오히려 반문하고 있는 듯하다. 대중의 말, 즉 빅데이터로 인공지능이 가능하게 한 타자와의 대화는 낯선 이의 얼굴을 거리낌없이 대하게 해준다. 인공지능은 그 어떤 철학과 윤리학도 해내지 못했던 이방인 타자에 대한 환대를 별문제 없다는 듯 해결해 버린다. 조재원 UNIST 지구환경도시건설공학과 교수 <본 칼럼은 2026년 5월 26일 울산매일 “[매일시론] 타자를 환대하는 인공지능”이라는 제목으로 실린 것입니다.>

Abstract Iterative syntheses—repeating sequences of the same reactions to construct complex molecules—can facilitate the synthesis of specific classes of small molecules with structural redundancies, including acenes. Despite the prevalence of zigzag edges in the structures of acenes, few examples that effectively manipulate the edge configurations of acenes exist. In this study, the rationally designed iterative synthesis of three pentacene derivatives with continuous boron–oxygen bonds at the zigzag edges is reported. The simple and efficient two-step iteration employed ipso iodination with a trimethylsilyl group as the directing group and Suzuki cross-coupling/condensation reactions. Because of the fundamental role of pentacene derivatives in a broad spectrum of electronic applications, these findings are valuable across a diverse range of chemical and physical disciplines. Researchers at UNIST have introduced a new, efficient way to alter the backbone of organic semiconductors, giving researchers finer control over the molecules used in flexible displays, sensors, solar cells, and other electronic devices. Led by Professors Young S. Park and Seung Kyu Min from the Department of Chemistry, the team created an iterative synthesis method that places boron–oxygen bonds along the edge of pentacene, a well-known organic semiconductor made of five fused benzene rings. Organic semiconductors are valued because they are light, flexible, and chemically tunable. Small changes in a molecule's length, shape, or atomic makeup can shift how it absorbs light, emits light, or transports charge. But chemists have usually tuned these materials by attaching groups to the outside of the molecule. Changing the carbon framework itself has remained much harder. The new method works inside that framework. It inserts oxygen and boron atoms into the pentacene backbone, reshaping the molecule rather than simply decorating its edges. Dr. Sunghwa Jung, the study's first author, said the process relies on a repeated two-step cycle. “Each cycle begins with iodination at a specific site, followed by ring closure using a boron reagent,” he said. “By repeating the sequence, we can build pentacene structures with consecutive boron–oxygen bonds along the molecular edge.” By carefully controlling these cycles, the team synthesized three different pentacene derivatives, each with distinct boron–oxygen arrangements. The molecules absorbed and emitted light at different wavelengths, showing that their optical properties could be tuned through structure. All three also showed fluorescence quantum yields above 0.70, a sign of efficient light emission. The results point to possible uses in light-emitting organic semiconductors, fluorescent sensors, and optoelectronic materials that require bright, efficient emission. “This work gives us a stepwise way to build new acene molecules with consecutive boron–oxygen bonds,” Professor Park said. “Because the process can control both molecular length and arrangement, it expands the structures available for organic semiconductor design.” The study was published online in Angewandte Chemie International Edition on April 16, 2026. It was supported by funding from the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE). Journal Reference Seonghwa Jeong, Si-In Kim, Jonghwan Lee, et al., “Iterative Synthesis of Pentacene Derivatives with Continuous Boron–Oxygen Bonds,” Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. , (2026).

Abstract Second-harmonic generation (SHG) in monolayer transition-metal dichalcogenides is highly sensitive to mechanical strain, often leading to signal suppression under deformation. Here, we demonstrate reconfigurable SHG in monolayer MoS2 integrated with plasmonic nanoslits, where localized plasmonic fields counteract strain-induced suppression. The plasmonic nanoslits induce strong spatially localized field enhancement, yielding an SHG enhancement of up to 8000, estimated by normalizing the signal to the illumination area, relative to MoS2 on unpatterned Au films. Applying 1.2% compressive strain increases the SHG intensity by approximately threefold relative to the unstrained state, demonstrating effective strain-enabled modulation. Upon mechanical bending, the SHG response is reversibly modulated and remains stable after an initial preconditioning regime, retaining more than 95% of its initial intensity over repeated bending cycles. This strain-adaptive platform demonstrates robust cycling stability and provides a previously unexplored strategy for dynamically reconfigurable nonlinear metasurfaces, enabling applications in wearable sensors, tunable modulators, and compact frequency converters. A collaborative team from UNIST and Ajou University has unveiled a flexible optical device that generates a stronger light signal when bent. This achievement defies the traditional understanding that mechanical deformation diminishes optical performance, paving the way for advanced wearable sensors and flexible photonic systems. Led by Professors Hyeong-Ryeol Park and Seon Namgung of UNIST Department of Physics, alongside Professor Young-Hwan Ahn at Ajou University, the team engineered a device capable of converting incident light into a shorter wavelength. Unlike conventional devices that depend on bulky, thick materials, this ultra-thin structure employs molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), a two-dimensional semiconductor only a few atoms thick. While bending MoS2 typically weakens its optical signals, the researchers redesigned the architecture to focus electromagnetic energy within nanoscale gaps—merely 20 nanometers wide—that concentrate fields during compression. When bent inward, these gaps are narrow, amplifying the emitted light. On the other hand, when relaxed, they widen, diminishing the signal. This dynamic modulation renders the device both strain-sensitive and capable of real-time optical control. Experimental results demonstrated that compressing the device by approximately 1.2% increased its second-harmonic output—converting 800 nm light to 400 nm—by nearly threefold. Within these nanoscale gaps, the local electromagnetic field exceeds 8,000 times that of a flat MoS₂ film on gold. Notably, the device maintained over 95% of its initial performance even after 190 bending cycles, with minimal material degradation. “This nanoscale design not only enhances the optical signal but also provides inherent protection for the material,” said lead researcher Sobhagyam Sharma from UNIST. “It offers a straightforward approach to developing flexible sensors that respond to mechanical stress through changes in light emission.” Professor Park added, “This innovation lays the groundwork for deformation sensors that operate via optical signals and offers new insights into strain effects on two-dimensional materials.” The findings were published in Science Advances on May 8, supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF), the Institute for Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation (IITP), and UNIST. Journal Reference Sobhagyam Sharma, Satyabrat Behera, Byung Hee Son, et al ., “Reconfigurable second-harmonic generation via plasmonic nanoslits counteracting strain-induced suppression in monolayer MoS2,” Sci. Adv., (2026).

A major national initiative aimed at bringing artificial intelligence into Korea's shipyards has officially entered full-scale development. On May 20, UNIST held a kickoff meeting to share the project's research roadmap, industry partnerships, and plans for field validation across shipbuilding operations. Backed by the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) and the Institute for Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation (IITP), the initiative carries a total budget of KRW 40.3 billion (approximately USD 30 million). Its goal is to develop AI foundation models tailored to shipbuilding and apply them directly to industrial operations. More than 100 participants attended the event, including UNIST Vice President Hyun Sil Ahn for Research Affairs, executives from HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, CrowdWorks, and members of the research consortium. The initiative aims to strengthen productivity and competitiveness across the shipbuilding sector by applying AI technologies to design, production planning, manufacturing processes, and operational management. A defining feature of the project is its use of real industrial data and on-site verification through out the research process. UNIST is leading the overall research effort through its interdisciplinary AI and engineering faculty. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering will provide operational shipyard data and oversee field testing, while CrowdWorks will support industrial data infrastructure and AI training dataset development. During the meeting, participating organizations discussed the project's operational framework and strategies for long-term industry-academic cooperation. The consortium plans to build an integrated research ecosystem capable of accelerating AI-driven digital transformation (AX) across Korea's shipbuilding industry. “Shipbuilding remains one of Korea's most important strategic industries and a key driver of the regional economy,” said Vice President Ahn. "We hope this initiative becomes a meaningful turning point in accelerating AI transformation across the sector and strengthening the industry's global competitiveness."