LG HelloVision said on Monday it held the 2026 Proper AI and Digital Life media content creation contest with the Seoul Center of the Korea Communications Media Foundation and the National Information Society Agency (NIA).

The awards ceremony took place a day earlier at Seongbuk Media Culture Maru.

Now in its second year, the nationwide contest was designed for elementary, middle and high school students to examine the adverse effects of AI and digital technology and express proper ways to use them through creative works. It was linked to the Proper AI Digital Life education programme conducted in the first semester.

A total of 580 entries were submitted this year in categories including videos, card news and cartoons, and posters. That was up 54 percent from 376 entries last year. Fourteen works were selected as winners based on topic relevance, creativity, public interest value and completeness, among other factors.

The top prize, the Korea Communications Commission chairperson's award, went to "Wise AI Life (The Main Character of My Life)" by Jindo Elementary School's Jindocho53 Team. The Minister of Science and ICT award went to "Is It Really Your Choice?" by Seongsin Girls' Middle School's Treasure of the Sea Team.

"Wise AI Life" depicted using AI conversation while apologising to a friend, while also building the ability to think independently. "Is It Really Your Choice?" used a blackboard to portray teenagers being consumed by algorithms.

Three works received excellence awards: "The Most Precious Time Is Not on the Screen but Beside Us" by students Seoyeon Ko (고서연) and Seyon Ko (고세연) of Wiryesol Elementary School; "Synapse" by the Flame Studio Team of Shineom Middle School; and "Digital Detox in the Forest to Find the Real Me" by homeschooling student Junyoung Hong (홍준영). Three additional works won merit awards and six received encouragement awards.

Sungwon Lim (임성원), an executive director at LG HelloVision, said he hoped the creations reflecting teenagers' ideas would help spread a culture of proper AI and digital use. He said the company would continue to provide support so future generations can grow independently and healthily in the digital world.