Regina man uses ‘elf magic AI’ to help kids write letters to Santa

A Christmas tradition for many children around the world is writing a letter to Santa.

But for kids in Canada, this has become a big challenge due to the ongoing Canada Post strike, which has halted mail delivery across the country.

Regina’s Winston Lok said he saw the issue and knew he wanted to do something.

“My kids wrote letters every year, and I thought it was a shame that that that they would not be able to do this,” he said.

“Myself and a friend – this was literally not even two weeks ago – decided that we try something and see if it would make a difference, so we set up a website called LetterSanta.com.”

Read more:

• Albert Street Booster Juice in Regina accepting letters to Santa
• Striking Saskatchewan postal workers saving Christmas one letter at a time
• 60 years, 2 cards: The timeless Christmas tradition turned biography

The website is simple to navigate and prompts children with questions like their name, whether they were good this year, and what they’d like for Christmas. A letter is then generated and sent off to Santa.

“Miraculously, the elves – with a little bit of help with AI – will generate a letter back to them almost right away, and they have got their letter from Santa,” Lok said.

After filling out the questionnaire, Santa writes you a letter faster than he delivers gifts on Christmas. (LetterSanta.com)

The website is only about two weeks old, but Lok said it’s already been a great success.

“We have had 500 hits already,” he said. “All I can say is 500 happy kids, and I hope that we get another 500, or any number.”

He said Christmas magic is what the holidays are all about.

“With so many negatives that go on, including the weather, the economy, the postal strike, we want the kids to be able to to still do their thing and and be able to write their letter to Santa,” Lok said.

His friend is behind all the tech of the website, while Lok is the mastermind when it comes to design and what the site should look like.

Winston Lok said the website has only been online for two weeks, but is already very popular. (LetterSanta.com/Screenshot)

He said it was a mutual decision to use “elf magic called AI” to quickly respond to the kids.

Lok said he hopes the project will make children and families happy this holiday season.

“If it gets the word out there and it can help a few more kids, that’s exactly what want to do,” he said.

“We’ve only got two weeks here, so let’s make use of it.”