Gyeonggi Economic Science Promotion Agency and Smilegate Launch 'AI Education Facilitator' Training for University Students

The Gyeonggi Economic Science Promotion Agency (hereinafter GESPA) held a kickoff meeting on the 30th for the 'AI Education Facilitator Training Project' in partnership with Smilegate Hope Studio as part of the 'Gyeonggi AI Digital Learning Center' initiative, and announced plans to expand digital inclusion education in connection with the local community.

The 'Gyeonggi AI Digital Learning Center' is a digital inclusion project supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT and Gyeonggi Province that enables residents to easily learn and apply AI and digital technologies.

This project is carried out in cooperation with Smilegate Hope Studio to train university students as 'AI Education Facilitators,' who will support AI-based creative activities for children at community children's centers.

The core objective is to connect the digital capabilities of young talent with the local community to expand educational opportunities and build an AI creative education model that can be applied in practice.

The event was attended by approximately 50 participants, including GESPA Director Kim Hyun-gon and Smilegate President Kim Jung-seop, 20 university student facilitators, and 10 community children's center teachers.

At the kickoff meeting, participants shared the project's educational direction and the roles of participants, and conducted hands-on training in AI creative programs that can be applied in actual educational settings.

Participants experienced the entire process from planning characters and stories using generative AI to game development, learning creative-based teaching methods and instructional competencies.

Teams of two university students and one community children's center teacher will develop customized AI education curricula for each institution and operate a total of six mentoring sessions targeting children at community children's centers during October and November.

Following the project's completion, GESPA and Smilegate Hope Studio plan to analyze outcomes, establish AI creative education guidelines, and develop practical education models that can be applied in the field.

Additionally, the Gyeonggi AI Digital Learning Center operates eight hub centers and 11 experience zones throughout the province and coordinates mobile edu-buses that visit areas lacking equipment, with plans to continue expanding an environment where residents can access AI and digital education near their daily lives.

Smilegate President Kim Jung-seop stated, "Through cooperation with GESPA, we have created an important opportunity to bridge the AI digital gap at community children's centers and spread a creative environment for future generations. Going forward, Smilegate will continue to actively cooperate in spreading a creative environment for vulnerable groups, including the AI education ecosystem, by sharing our experience and know-how."

GESPA Director Kim Hyun-gon said, "This project is a meaningful starting point for supporting the creative growth of future generations by connecting young people's AI capabilities with the local community. We will continue to actively connect private sector expertise with public educational infrastructure to build an inclusive educational environment where everyone can benefit from AI and digital technology."