Empowering Youth Through Innovation: The 2026 Happiness AI Challenge for Students with Disabilities
October 20, 2026
In mid-October 2026, SK Telecom hosted a significant educational event aimed at narrowing the digital divide for students with disabilities. Held at the company's Talent Development Center in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, the 2026 Happiness AI Challenge brought together 110 students and 44 guiding teachers for two days of creative problem-solving and technical exploration. This initiative, organized in partnership with the Korea Federation of Organizations of the Disabled, represents a modern evolution of SKT's long-standing commitment to digital literacy, which began with information search contests in 1999 and evolved into coding schools by 2019.
This year’s event shifted its focus from fundamental coding skills to the practical application of artificial intelligence. Under the theme of connecting ideas and meeting the future, the competition was structured into three distinct categories. The Mission Challenge utilized an escape-room format where teams of two solved puzzles regarding AI ethics and information retrieval to unlock physical buzzers. The Vision Challenge invited students with developmental disabilities to use the Canva platform to generate and edit AI-driven posters. Meanwhile, the Hope Challenge tasked participants with creating short-form videos using SKT’s A. platform and CapCut, focusing on promoting Korean culture.
Beyond the competitive segments, the venue featured a variety of interactive technology zones. Students engaged with augmented reality through virtual archery and racing, experimented with drone simulations, and explored robotics via the AI Cocobot and Neuron AI coding stations. The event also included creative workshops for making music with AI and crafting physical souvenirs, ensuring a multisensory experience for all attendees. Recreational programs were specifically designed with accessibility in mind, featuring large-font captions and inclusive participation formats.
Educators at the event noted a visible increase in confidence among their students, highlighting how the opportunity to master complex tools like QR codes and image generators provided a sense of pride and social belonging. By encouraging students to view AI not just as a subject to study but as a medium for self-expression, the challenge aimed to build resilience and vocational potential. SK Telecom emphasized that these experiences serve as a foundation for future growth, pledging to continue providing digital education that empowers students with disabilities to navigate a technology-driven world.
Read original at SK Telecom Newsroom.