학폭·입시 고민, AI 키오스크가 상담…충북서 전국 최초 설치

A new AI-based system designed to diagnose and provide counseling for psychological and emotional challenges faced by teenagers has been installed in Chongwon, South Korea. This pioneering effort, a collaboration between the local government, private companies, and research institutions, aims to address the growing mental health concerns among the youth in the region.

The project involves the construction of two AI-powered kiosks, named 'Mindful', which will be installed in various locations, including the Youth Comprehensive Development Center.

The 'Mindful' kiosks utilize voice and video recognition to identify and analyze the emotional states of teenagers, enabling them to seek help independently and confidentially. This innovative system is the result of a joint effort between Chongwon-do, the Chongwon-do Education Office, SK-HIKE, ESCAI (SK Hanhungs), the Chongwon-do Social Welfare Funding Committee, and the Chongwon-do Science & Technology Innovation Institute.

On October 10th, these organizations signed a memorandum of understanding to streamline the implementation and cooperation of the AI-based mental health support system.

The main objective of this project is to measure and monitor the psychological and emotional well-being of teenagers, particularly those experiencing depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. By leveraging advanced technology, the 'Mindful' system can predict at-risk individuals, allowing for early intervention and support. In the future, the program will be expanded to include multilingual support, catering to Vietnamese and Chinese speakers, in addition to Korean.

The project is expected to be rolled out in 2027 and 2028, with Chongwon-do Education Office designating specific institutions and schools for installation.