A 10-week hands-on course guided participants from writing to publication using generative AI — 8 of 20 enrollees published actual books, drawing on their own life experiences
Gwangjin-gu said eight residents published ebooks and print books through its lifelong learning center program "Debut as an Author With AI: From Using Generative AI to Publishing a Book."
The program was designed as a hands-on course using generative AI to walk participants through the full process — writing, drafting manuscripts, editing and publishing — and ran for 10 weeks from April through June. Eight of the 20 enrollees used AI to organize their personal experiences and expertise into written form and completed publication of actual books through a publishing platform. Some participants have applied to register as authors on Naver's author information database, and additional publications are currently in progress.
The published titles cover a range of subjects, including health, community, investment, travel and workplace life. One participant who spent 35 years at the Korea Development Bank published "Story Told by My Heart," a candid account of living with atrial fibrillation, while a local community activist published "I Am an Ecosystem," a book weaving together her life and personal philosophy.
The program's significance lies in going beyond simple AI theory or technical training — it helped residents transform their own lives and experiences into valuable digital content that culminated in actual published works.
"This program is deeply meaningful not only because residents learned about generative AI, but because it supported them in sharing their own stories with the world," district mayor Kim Gyeong-ho said. "We will continue to expand hands-on, experience-based programs that link AI with lifelong learning, so that any resident can easily learn and make use of AI and new digital technologies."
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
