Bucheon City announced on the 16th that on the 18th, the State Affairs Planning Committee's Artificial Intelligence (AI) Task Force (TF) and related organizations visited the 'Bucheon-type Smart Senior Center' site and held a policy discussion meeting at the Sosaeul Smart Senior Center.
Bucheon City announced on the 16th that on the 18th, the State Affairs Planning Committee's Artificial Intelligence (AI) Task Force (TF) and related organizations visited the 'Bucheon-type Smart Senior Center' site and held a policy discussion meeting at the Sosaeul Smart Senior Center.
▲ Bucheon Mayor Cho Yong-ik and the National Policy Committee are observing the laughter therapy program at the Smart Senior Center.
This visit was designed to directly inspect Bucheon City's pioneering Smart Senior Center and discuss the future direction of AI-based welfare services. Participants heard about the Smart Senior Center's operational status, observed a laughter therapy program, and were introduced to the AI welfare call system "Onmaeum." Following this, they held a discussion on "The Future of Smart Senior Centers in the Era of AI Transformation (AX)."
▲ Bucheon Mayor Cho Yong-ik attending a meeting.
The meeting was attended by officials from the State Affairs Planning Committee, the Ministry of Science and ICT, the National Intelligence Service (NIA), and the Korea Senior Citizens Association, who shared various opinions on the expansion of AI care services and the advancement of smart senior centers.
The Bucheon Smart Senior Center, introduced nationwide in 2021, is currently operating at 45 locations. It has established itself as a digital welfare hub encompassing leisure, health, and communication, supporting seniors to experience digital experiences and social connections in their daily lives through video conferencing platforms and ICT devices. This achievement was particularly recognized in June when it received the Presidential Citation for Contribution to Information and Culture.
▲ Group photo of the National Planning Commission's Bucheon-type smart senior center
Bucheon Mayor Cho Yong-ik said, “We will create a digital welfare environment that seniors can actually experience and make Bucheon an inclusive city that everyone can enjoy together,” and added, “We will further solidify that foundation by cooperating with the central government, the private sector, and local communities.”
Meanwhile, Bucheon City plans to expand the number of smart senior centers to 150 this year and introduce artificial intelligence (AI)-based cognitive training content and digital kiosks to create a more systematic and sustainable digital welfare environment.