An eldelry woman on May 28 talks with Alpha Mini, an artificial intelligence-powered humanoid robot, at the AI digital learning center of the Gomdalle Cultural and Welfare Center in Seoul's Gangseo-gu District. /p>

By Lee Jeongwoo

Senior citizens on May 28 gathered at the AI (artificial intelligence) digital learning center of the Gomdalle Cultural and Welfare Center in Seoul's Gangseo-gu District. They stared at their smartphone screens while learning to use artificial intelligence (AI) and digital devices.

They initially hesitated moving their fingers in front of unfamiliar screens, but began to move in unison with the devices after receiving guidance from their instructors. Their vague fear of new technology was slowly shifting to the joy of learning as the class was filled with questions and laughter.

From fear of digital to joy of learning

Lee Eun-jeong, 75, has visited the center for several years to receive training in the use of digital devices and AI. She first came to the facility to learn how to use laptops and smartphones and now adroitly navigates generative AI such as Google Gemini in daily life.

She uses AI to edit her photos taken on trips into videos and find her way on unfamiliar streets using maps on her smartphone. Whenever she has a question, she asks AI first.

"AI and digital technology felt unfamiliar at first but I slowly got used to them," Lee said.
"Now, AI feels like my right arm."

"I used my travel photos to make a video and sent it to my daughter, and she responded, 'Mom, this is great,'" she added. "Every moment like that motivates to learn harder."

Digital education has also changed the way families communicate. "I can understand and do as my son says when he calls and says, 'Mom, go to this screen and take a look,'" Lee said. "I'm proud when my children tell me, 'Mom, you're the best.'"

Students on May 28 learn about AI at the Gomdalle Cultural and Welfare Center in Seoul's Gangseo-gu District.

Kim Eun-seok, 69, who is fairly new to the center, also came across the facility by chance to discover the digital world after trying an AI-powered health management device and taking a personality test.

"At first, I didn't even know a place like this exists," she said. "I was truly astonished to have my health status evaluated and the results sent directly to my smartphone."

She also recounted her previous mishaps with digital devices. "I once panicked after accidentally selecting the wrong item on a self-service kiosk at a hamburger joint, and another time, I received two orders by mistake at a restaurant," she said.

These experiences, however, renewed her motivation to learn how to use them. "After trying AI, I found myself asking more questions," she said. "I cannot remain unaware, so I'm determined to study hard and make the most of these technologies in line with the changing times."

Students on May 28 learn about generative AI in a class at the Gomdalle Cultural and Welfare Center in Seoul's Gangseo-gu District.

Basic AI that anyone can learn

The AI digital learning center is a free educational space for those struggling with digital technology, offering a range of support from basic digital training in the use of smartphones and self-service kiosks to generative AI.

The venue organically integrates a training facility that offers basic AI skills support and practical digital education, counseling that assesses learner abilities and recommends courses, and interactive space featuring AI robots and daily devices.

A student on May 28 uses generative AI to make travel plans at the AI digital learning center of Gomdalle Cultural and Welfare Center in Seoul's Gangseo-gu District.

The center's initiative this year is to form a field-oriented educational network and reinforce personalized education by running integrated spaces for training, hands-on experiences and consultations at key locations nationwide. It will also expand outreach courses to residential areas such as towns, townships and neighborhoods.

The objective is universal access to AI education close to home. Based on individual conditions and competency evaluations, AI and digital learning assistants will devise personalized learning methods and recommend the necessary AI features.

A woman on May 28 tries generative AI at the Gomdalle Cultural and Welfare Center in Gangseo-gu District, Seoul.

The curriculum is also divided into levels. The introductory course covers the concepts and trends of AI, basic applications, and ethics and responsibility. Other courses focus on basic, everyday, advanced AI as well as special skills in that order.

The programs cover in depth topics immediately applicable in daily life and work such as dialogue, document summaries, schedule management, detection of misinformation, original content creation and data analysis.

Center students Lee Eun-jeong and Lee Eun-seok on May 28 discuss their experiences using AI in photo editing at the Gomdalle Cultural and Welfare Center in Seoul's Gangseo-gu District.

The center is forming a community where people share warmth as well as acquire knowledge through learning new technologies and interacting with others.

One senior citizen said, "When I learn something new here, I feel smarter and younger."

Kim has a specific goal in using AI: compose music. "I was deeply impressed with an acquaintance creating music via AI and uploading it to YouTube," he said. "I want to try making music I like using AI, too."

Digital learning centers are helping people reconnect with the world. Hesitation in using a smartphone turns into confidence in navigating life, and the fear of facing a self-service kiosk changes into the joy of learning.

b1614409@korea.kr