- Launch of an AI literacy program tailored to Korea’s educational and social environment
- Program launches in the first week of May for changemakers, expanding to K-12 educators in the second half of this year
- Built on global AI standards to strengthen responsible AI in education and civil society
April 27, 2026 – In collaboration with Seoul National University (SNU), Microsoft announced the launch of a Korean-language AI literacy learning and credential program, offered at no cost, for educators and changemakers.
This program is part of Microsoft Elevate, a global initiative to strengthen AI capabilities and expand access to credible certificate in collaboration with educational institutions, civil society, and government partners. It is designed to support the responsible use of AI by educators and social impact leaders driving change in Korea’s education sector and addressing societal challenges.
Using Microsoft’s global AI skilling content as a foundation, the SNU Center for Innovation of Future Education adapted and localized the program for Korean learners. Microsoft and SNU will gradually expand the program to include professionals in social innovation organizations and the education sector, with participants receiving a certificate upon completion, supporting the broader expansion of AI literacy across Korea.
The first phase will begin in the first week of May, starting with a program for professionals in social innovation organizations, including nonprofits and social ventures. This course, a professional certificate program developed in collaboration with Microsoft and a global nonprofit consortium, NetHope, is tailored to the Korean operating environment to enhance its real-world applicability. The program helps build practical AI capabilities for civil society organizations, including optimizing operations, supporting data-driven decision-making, and enhancing community services.
In the second half of this year, the program will expand to reach approximately 500,000 teachers and education professionals nationwide, spanning kindergarten through high school (K–12). The program for educators is tailored to the Korean education environment, integrating local education policies and classroom practices into content developed by Microsoft and the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). It will also be integrated into teacher professional development programs nationwide, laying the groundwork for broader adoption across the education sector.
Both programs are available online to all learners through the SNU National Academy for Educational Administrators. Participants who complete it will receive a certificate jointly issued by SNU and Microsoft. Microsoft will also offer follow-up programs to support participants in further developing their AI capabilities. It plans to provide diverse growth pathways, including hosting participant events and connecting program outcomes with global expert development programs.
“While AI is rapidly transforming the way we learn and work, access to the skills and opportunities needed to use it remains uneven,” saidSung Jongeun, Microsoft Elevate National Skills Director in Korea. “Through AI literacy and credential programs, Microsoft Elevate and SNU help educators and changemakers build the capabilities and confidence needed to benefit from the opportunities AI offers in Korea.”
“In the age of AI, expanding access to the AI capabilities essential for the future across all sectors of society is a key responsibility of universities,” said Professor Lim Cheolil, Professor of Education and Director of the Future Education Innovation Center at SNU. “Through this collaboration with Microsoft, we will actively support high-quality educational infrastructure to enable educators and civil society leaders to use AI to drive meaningful change across a wide range of contexts.”
Microsoft Elevate was launched in July last year to help close AI readiness gaps by strengthening the education and civil society systems communities rely on. Through partnerships with the education sector, nonprofits, and government agencies, Microsoft Elevate combines trusted technology, practical AI literacy curricula, credentials, and community-based learning to support responsible, real-world AI adoption. Building on this foundation, Microsoft plans to expand Microsoft Elevate for Educators and Microsoft Elevate for Changemakers in Korea, supporting educators and social innovators as they build the capabilities needed to learn, work, and thrive in an AI-powered economy.
###.
About Microsoft
Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) creates platforms and tools powered by AI to deliver innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers. The technology company is committed to making AI available broadly and doing so responsibly, with a mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.