Science ministry opens second Click On AI season on Oct. 15

The science ministry said Wednesday it will open the second season of Click On AI, a nationwide online artificial intelligence experience program, on Oct. 15, expanding the event that drew 1.7 million participants in its first run.

The six-week program, which runs through Nov. 25, is organized jointly with the education ministry and is open to anyone in the country. Its first season, held in June, drew 1.7 million people, with AI coding the most popular of its four sections at about 48 percent of participation. Among individual programs, "Coding Makes Even Animals Dance," "Career Experience with Ajitin AI" and "Run, Pengsoo!" drew the most participants.

For the second season the organizers widened the roster of participating institutions to 15, including the Korea Educational Broadcasting System, and added 10 new programs for a total of 44, putting more weight on hands-on AI use and the use of AI data. The new programs, drawn up to reflect feedback from first-season participants, cover a wider range of difficulty levels.

Three events will run alongside the programs, including a newly added ranking event.

"If season one was an online AI experience festival where anyone from elementary school students to senior citizens could easily try AI out and get closer to it, I hope season two becomes a chance to experience using data and strengthen the ability to solve problems with AI," said Nam Chul-ki, the ministry's software policy director.

Details and registration are available on the National AI Competition website, which can be reached through a search on major portals such as Naver and Daum.