Applications Accepted Until May 22
Seocho-gu in Seoul (Mayor Jeon Seongsoo) will hold the "2025 Seocho Resident Living Lab Idea Contest" for one month from April 23 to May 22, inviting residents to propose solutions to local issues using ideas in the field of artificial intelligence (AI).
This contest is part of a "resident-led smart city policy," which aims to discover and validate ideas that can improve the quality of life in the district by utilizing AI technology that is increasingly used in everyday life, in collaboration with the district and its residents.
Participants can choose between designated topics and open topics. The designated topics focus on solutions to local issues in areas such as transportation, safety, and welfare, utilizing AI technology. Alternatively, participants may freely propose ways to use smart technology to enhance residents' quality of life under the open topic category. However, submitting an idea under a designated topic will grant an additional 5 points.
Anyone who is a resident of Seocho-gu or an employee working in Seocho-gu may participate either individually or as a team of up to five members. To enter, participants must submit their proposed ideas and upload the application form and other required documents via the district website or the Seocho Smart City app during the application period.
The district plans to select five outstanding ideas from the submissions. The final winners (individuals or teams) will receive the following awards: one Grand Prize, one Excellence Award, and three Merit Awards. In addition to certificates, the winners will receive Seocho Coins as prizes: 3,000 coins for the Grand Prize, 2,000 coins for the Excellence Award, and 1,000 coins for each Merit Award (each coin is worth 100 KRW). Seocho Coin is a blockchain-based reward point system implemented by the district, which can be used in various locations such as public parking lots, restaurants, and cafes through a dedicated app.
One notable feature is that selected ideas will not remain as mere proposals but will be further validated for actual implementation. The district will form a working group consisting of staff, external experts, Soongsil University researchers, and the proposing residents to conduct brainstorming sessions and further enhance feasibility and specificity.
Meanwhile, this initiative is part of a regional intelligence innovation talent development project in collaboration with Soongsil University, and is drawing attention as a sustainable smart ecosystem model promoted jointly by the private sector, public institutions, and academia.
Mayor Jeon Seongsoo stated, "This contest is significant in that it is not limited to simply proposing ideas, but serves as an innovative model where residents directly participate in policy design and validation using AI technology and more." He added, "I hope that with active interest and participation from residents, we can discover Seocho's own unique and innovative smart city services."
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