LG Electronics is hosting an international competition aimed at enhancing the artificial intelligence (AI) skills of disabled youth and supporting their social integration. This year, 81 disabled youth selected from nine countries will compete in AI and programming skills.
From October 27 to 29, LG Electronics is conducting the finals of the 2026 Global IT Challenge for Disabled Youth (GITC) in Da Nang, Vietnam. The event is co-hosted by LG and the Ministry of Health and Welfare, along with the Korean Association of Persons with Disabilities and local social enterprises and universities in Vietnam.
The GITC was initiated in 2011 to improve the IT skills of disabled youth and facilitate their entry into society. Over the past 15 years, more than 5,000 disabled youth from 41 countries have participated.
This year's finals feature 81 participants who advanced from preliminary rounds in nine countries: South Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand, and the Philippines.
Participants will compete in four categories: 'e-Combination,' which involves AI-based information retrieval and document processing; 'e-Content,' focusing on video production using AI platforms; 'e-Creative,' which involves programming for autonomous vehicles; and 'e-Interactive,' centered on creating interactive games using AI.
Last year's GITC participants included individuals who pursued careers in IT as a result of their experiences in the competition. An Indonesian participant, who was recognized as a global IT leader in 2015, later completed an IT training program and now works as an IT developer for the local Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy.
This year marks the 15th anniversary of the competition, and Shin Gi-hoon, the winner of the inaugural event in 2011, attended the opening ceremony. After winning in the information retrieval category, Shin pursued a career in computer science and is currently researching AI implementation in smart devices as a doctoral student at Pusan National University.
On the final day of the competition, participants will engage in cultural exchanges, including traditional Vietnamese dance and visits to local museums.
Yoon Dae-sik, Executive Vice President of LG Electronics, stated, "We will continue to create opportunities for global disabled youth to experience new technologies like AI and showcase their capabilities through GITC."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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