Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) has appointed two distinguished scholars with Harvard backgrounds to its faculty, announced on April 20. This move aims to fortify humanities education amid the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), a strategic enhancement for a leading science and technology university.
New Appointments Strengthen Humanities Department
Effective from the first semester of the 2026 academic year, GIST welcomes Professor Ahn Kang-hoon and Professor Kang Jin-ho to its School of Humanities and Social Sciences. These hires bring specialized expertise to the department.
Professor Ahn Kang-hoon, who earned his undergraduate degree in East Asian Languages and Civilizations from Harvard and later pursued advanced studies, specializes in Eastern philosophy and philosophy of art. Professor Kang Jin-ho, holding a PhD in philosophy from Harvard, served 15 years as a professor in the Philosophy Department at Seoul National University. He is a leading authority in philosophy of language.
With these additions, alongside School Head Professor Kim Geon-woo—who focuses on legal philosophy and AI ethics—the department now features three full-time humanities professors dedicated to interdisciplinary fields like legal philosophy and AI ethics.
Scholars Emphasize AI’s Need for Humanities Insight
Professor Kang Jin-ho stated, “To advance beyond simplistic statistical AI toward truly intelligent systems grounded in human cognition, scholarly reflection in the humanities is essential.”
Professor Ahn Kang-hoon added, “By linking Eastern philosophy with modern scientific thought and philosophy of art, I aim to broaden integrated perspectives for science students.”
GIST President remarked, “Innovation in the AI era realizes its value only through humanistic insight and collaboration within science and technology.”
