AI classroom opens on island village of 380 residents, supporting children's digital future

An artificial intelligence (AI) education program is bringing digital literacy to a small island community in South Korea. The 'Aesop' program, designed to help elementary school students create their own stories using AI, was recently held on Seopseom Island in Boryeong, a coastal town with a population of just 380.

The initiative took place at the village daycare center, located at the Seopseom branch of Ocheon Elementary School. Students participated in an eight-session course that introduced them to generative AI, AI chatbots, and visual coding with Entry. Through these tools, they learned to create their own narratives, gaining hands-on experience with AI technology.

This educational outreach is part of the Ministry of Education and Korea Science & Creativity Foundation's 'Digital Leap' project. The program aims to enhance digital capabilities among students nationwide and reduce educational disparities between regions. Hoseo University has been the lead institution for this project since 2022, extending its reach to underserved areas in remote islands and mountainous regions across South Korea.

"We will spare no effort to support children in remote and mountainous areas by expanding AI education, so they can grow into future talents leading the digital age," said Jeon Su-jin, director of Hoseo University's AI and Software Education Center. The university plans to continue strengthening cooperation with high schools and operating various programs to improve teachers' AI education expertise and provide public education-centered college admissions information.

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We will spare no effort to support children in remote and mountainous areas by expanding AI education, so they can grow into future talents leading the digital age.