Smilegate Hope Studio announced on the 10th that it is conducting the '2026 Palette Creative Workshop' to support children and youth in experiencing creative production using artificial intelligence (AI).
'Palette' is a creative community that helps children shape their own futures through creative activities regardless of their upbringing or financial background. This workshop aims to foster a creative environment in local communities by helping children discover their interests and use AI as a tool for self-expression and creation.
The workshop will run for 20 weeks from September 7 to February 2027 across 12 regional child care centers nationwide, including Seoul, Gyeonggi, Gangneung, Jeonju, and Daegu. The 7th class of "Hope Creators," creative mentors composed of university students and young adults, will visit the regional child care centers weekly in teams of three to carry out creative projects with children, youth, and care teachers on topics such as games, movies, TV dramas, animations, and webtoons.
The "Alumni Leader Group," composed of mentors from previous cohorts, will support the 7th class of mentors based on their activity experience and know-how. "Palette Meisters," consisting of Smilegate employees and representatives of Orange Planet alumni companies, will also leverage their professional expertise to offer creative mentoring and feedback.
Hope Studio held an orientation for the Hope Creators in August and conducted guidance on AI-based creative mentoring methods for regional child care center care teachers from September 4 to 5. During the training, they shared principles and the facilitator's role in helping children develop their thinking and expressiveness using AI to create works.
According to Hope Studio, since its inception in 2019, Palette has involved 14,230 children and youth alongside 5,482 youth mentors to produce a total of 219 creative works. In a participant competency growth survey conducted early this year, participating children and youth scored high in self-expression, confidence, and collaboration capabilities.
Kwon Yeon-joo, Director of Smilegate Hope Studio, said, "Hope Studio is creating a creative environment together with local youth and regional child care centers so that future generations can discover their interests and cultivate future capabilities," adding, "We will also collaborate with various partners, including public entities and corporations, to continue spreading hope to future generations in local communities."
