BAGUIO CITY — SM City Baguio partnered with the Department of Information and Communications Technology-Cordillera to teach children and senior citizens how to use artificial intelligence and other digital tools safely and responsibly.

The learning session featured interactive discussions and demonstrations on how AI works, its practical and creative applications and ways to safely navigate online environments.

Parents also joined their children to explore how digital tools could be used at home and in school.

Joan Jimenez, who attended with her 10-year-old son Jacob, said children are being exposed to AI at an early age and would benefit from proper guidance.

“Yung age ng mga bata ngayon, very common na yung AI. I think magandang opportunity sa kanila ito para ma-broaden yung knowledge nila at ma-experience din kung paano nagwo-work ang AI,” Jimenez said.

Jacob said he wanted to explore AI beyond conventional searches after experimenting with game design and simple app creation.

“I want to know more about AI because it is futuristic technology. I tried a game where you have to use AI, and I also made an app,” he said.

For senior citizens, the workshop focused on practical digital skills, cybersecurity and protection against online scams.

Senior participant Cheryl Alquiza said hearing about actual scam experiences helped participants better understand online threats.

“We learned so much information, and the experiences shared by someone who was scammed were a big help to us, especially us seniors. Sometimes, we are very vulnerable to scams,” Alquiza said.

DICT-Cordillera engineer Katherine Aguilar said the program demonstrated that technology could benefit people across generations.

“Maganda yung ginawa natin kasi from kids to seniors, it only goes to show na yung technology ay walang pinipiling edad. Very inclusive siya,” Aguilar said.

The initiative forms part of efforts by SM City Baguio and DICT-Cordillera to promote digital literacy and responsible technology use in the community.