Seocho District in Seoul (District Mayor Jeon Seong-su) announced on July 17 that it is taking the lead in building a smart city for the future by providing high-quality artificial intelligence (AI) education to local residents and actively utilizing AI in administrative practices.
In line with the growing influence of AI across all aspects of life, the district has launched customized education programs for all generations, aiming to bridge the digital divide and foster future talent.
The district plans to gradually implement step-by-step programs tailored to age and target group characteristics: practical AI education for residents closely connected to daily life, hands-on AI talent development for youth and professionals, and training to strengthen AI utilization capabilities for public officials.
For elementary, middle, and high school students, the district is operating the "AI Education Visiting Schools" program and the "Smart Academy," which offers convergence education in future technologies such as AI creative invention. All residents have broad access to the "Digital Literacy Education for Residents" program, which helps them make informed choices about digital technologies and develop critical thinking skills. Seniors can receive practical training in everyday digital device use and ChatGPT at the Smart Senior Education Center.
To nurture professional AI talent, the district has established the "Seocho AI College" and "Digital Competency Enhancement Education" for young adults, with more than 120 participants having completed the programs so far. In addition, through the "Regional Intelligence Innovation Talent Development Project" in partnership with Soongsil University, the district is supporting local employees in obtaining master's and doctoral degrees.
Starting in September, the district will also launch a new preparatory course for the nationally certified AI qualification exam "AICE," providing residents with practical skills improvement and opportunities to earn credentials.
AI utilization is also being strengthened in the administrative sector. The district is conducting regular special lectures by AI experts for public officials on topics such as using ChatGPT, as well as themed hands-on training sessions on creating public value based on big data and AI. In June, the district held the "Employee Generative AI Competition" to assess employees' AI utilization capabilities and to identify ways to improve various administrative services.
In addition, Seocho District plans to institutionalize its mid- to long-term vision by promoting the enactment of the "AI Future Talent Development Ordinance," and will strengthen interdepartmental cooperation and public-private-academic governance systems. The district will also expand its AI education infrastructure centered on daily life by utilizing a variety of education hubs tailored to different ages and target groups, including the Smart Edu Center, libraries, lifelong learning centers, Smart Senior Education Center, Seocho 50 Plus Center, and Smart Youth Center.
Jeon Seong-su, Mayor of Seocho District, stated, "AI technology is no longer the exclusive domain of specific fields, but an essential competency that every generation must utilize in daily life. Through accessible AI education, we will enhance the capabilities of both residents and employees and build Seocho into a smart city that leads the era of digital transformation."
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