Jebahyeop AI New Drug Education Platform Gains Popularity with Comprehensive Theoretical and Practical Training

The Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association announced on the 9th that the AI drug development education platform LAIDD has recorded a cumulative total of 7,814 enrolled trainees in four years since its establishment. The number of trainees (enrollees) continues to surge, increasing by about 2,000 each year from 1,243 in 2021.

Scenes from the LAIDD-related conference
[Photo by Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association]

LAIDD is a specialized talent development platform established by the Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association in 2021, aiming to cultivate field-oriented convergence talents who integrate AI into drug development. Through several rounds of enhancement, it now offers a comprehensive curriculum covering theory to practical work in fields such as AI, life sciences, chemistry, and pharmacy. Notably, 64% of the trainees are reported to be industry professionals.

The LAIDD education program is broadly divided into three parts: ▲Theory and practical training (online education, boot camps) ▲Problem-solving education (mentoring projects) ▲Skill verification and presentation (competitions, conferences). In the theory and practical training, foundational knowledge is acquired and applied in practice; in the problem-solving education, mentees (students) undertake 12-week projects under the guidance of mentors to become practical professionals. The skill verification and presentation part provides opportunities for participants to validate their capabilities through competitions and conferences.

Despite being free of charge, the program has been recognized for its professionalism, even being integrated into graduate school curricula. At Pusan National University’s AI Graduate School, the LAIDD education program is linked to the Healthcare PBL course and will be used in individual project courses through a flipped learning method. Flipped learning is an educational approach where students watch prepared online lectures at home and engage in discussions and activities with other students in offline classrooms.

Byun Hee Pyo, Deputy Director of the AI Drug Convergence Research Institute at the Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association, stated, “The education provided by LAIDD is essential to illuminating the future of drug development. We will continue to lead innovation in AI drug development and expand our role as a cradle for cultivating convergence talents.”