[42 Tokyo] Curriculum Enhanced with Python and AI

General Incorporated Association 42 Tokyo (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Yoko Sakanoue; hereinafter "42 Tokyo") has revised its learning curriculum, adding new "Python" and "AI" challenges in addition to the existing C language computer science fundamentals. By consistently learning from low-level to high-level computer systems, we aim to cultivate engineers equipped with essential problem-solving skills that cannot be replaced by AI, enabling them to select the optimal technology for each challenge. Curriculum Revision Overview With the rapid advancement of AI technology, the role of engineers is shifting from merely writing code to making overarching judgments and analyzing and solving complex problems. This has increased the demand for advanced design capabilities to grasp problems from multiple angles and derive solutions by combining various elements, including AI, making universal knowledge such as computer science fundamentals even more crucial. To train engineers who can solve complex problems faced in the real world by combining multiple elements, 42 Tokyo has revised its curriculum and added challenges to learn the basics and application methods of Python and AI. The new curriculum allows students to acquire Python skills, a language widely used in various fields such as AI implementation, web applications, and data science. Furthermore, it aims to equip students with the ability to not just use AI as a tool, but to understand AI technology itself and utilize it appropriately. Starting with traditional C language computer science, students will acquire a strong foundation by delving deep into the principles of algorithms and data structures. By then learning Python and AI, they will gain advanced problem-solving skills that go beyond superficial tool usage, fostering engineers who are immediately ready for corporate demands upon completion of the basic curriculum "Common Core." Examples of Technical Challenges ◯ Industrial Drone System Development This challenge involves developing a system for multiple drones used in logistics warehouses using Python. It requires designing pathfinding and scheduling to reach the goal in the shortest time for all drones while avoiding collisions, considering connection restrictions and movement costs (normal, restricted, priority, impassable). This is an advanced challenge requiring real-time simulation control and implementation of optimization algorithms. ◯ AI Search System (RAG) Implementation This challenge involves building a system called "RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation)" where generative AI like ChatGPT finds correct information. Students will gain the ability to understand the inner workings of how generative AI technologies, including ChatGPT, search for relevant information from large volumes of documents and generate answers, and to design their own AI systems. *Challenges may be changed or revised due to updates. Comment from Yoko Sakanoue, Representative Director of 42 Tokyo With the rapid spread of generative AI, the role of engineers is now at a major turning point. As the hurdle for writing code itself lowers, what is required is essential critical thinking skills to understand languages like Python and the mechanisms of AI technology, and to design optimal solutions for complex problems. Since its establishment, 42 Tokyo has emphasized learning the roots of computer science through the C language. With this curriculum revision, we have added Python and AI, which are indispensable for modern practical work. Through this, we aim to cultivate engineers who can understand AI technology, which tends to become a black box, from its mechanisms, control it with their own hands, and utilize it. We will continue to produce talent from 42 Tokyo who can flexibly adapt to changes in the times and turn them into tailwinds. About 42 Tokyo "42," founded in 2013 by a French entrepreneur, is a tuition-free software engineer training institution. The first campus in Japan, "42 Tokyo," opened in June 2020, and currently operates in 57 campuses across 31 countries (as of March 2026). It also ranked 3rd in the "Global Top 400 Innovative Universities" of the "World's Universities with Real Impact (WURI)" global university rankings (2025). "42 Tokyo" offers an environment where anyone can challenge programming learning with no prior experience required, tuition-free, and a 24-hour open campus. It provides an opportunity to learn with no tuition fees, access to the latest curriculum, and the chance to challenge regardless of background.