Kakao Impact Foundation said on Oct. 19 it held the finals of the National Senior AI Golden Bell on Oct. 15.

A total of 64 seniors aged 60 and over took part after passing nationwide preliminaries. The average age of finalists was 71.9.

The preliminaries ran for about four months from May 29 to Oct. 6 at 150 senior welfare centers nationwide. More than 3,000 graduates of the foundation's Senior Digital School on Wheels participated.

Participants were assessed on public services and Kakao services, as well as hands-on practice using ChatGPT for Kakao. Sixteen representative institutions by region were selected, and 4 people from each institution, 64 in total, advanced to the finals.

The finals linked Kakao's Pangyo Agit with 16 senior welfare centers nationwide online. It was also livestreamed on the Kakao Impact YouTube channel.

The contest had three stages: basic AI knowledge, AI and digital daily life and safety knowledge, and hands-on practice using ChatGPT for Kakao. Participants submitted answers using a mobile game application.

The top prize, the Minister of Science and ICT Award, went to the Cheongju Naedeok Senior Welfare Center team. Participant Lee Jong-bok (이종복) said, "I learned that AI is not difficult, and I am happy to learn with my welfare center friends and even receive an award."

An AI special prize was also offered for finalists from the 16 teams, judging group photos produced using AI. Participating teams will receive prizes including commemorative plaques and the Yellow Book, a senior smartphone guide.

The event is linked to the senior division of the private track of the National AI Competition hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT. Kakao Impact Foundation hosted the event, and the ministry, Kakao and KakaoPay sponsored it, with cooperation from the Korea Association of Senior Welfare Centers and the Senior Financial Education Council.

Since 2024, Kakao Impact Foundation has run the Senior Digital School on Wheels to provide AI education by visiting senior welfare centers. The contest was set up so graduates could directly apply and be evaluated on what they learned after completing the program.

Ryu Seok-young (류석영), chairman of Kakao Impact Foundation, said, "We will continue to support more seniors so they can use AI in their daily lives through the Senior Digital School on Wheels."