South Korea’s plan to introduce AI-powered digital textbooks in schools has sparked concern among parents and educators, who fear the implications of increased screen time and the potential for misinformation.
Education Minister Lee Ju-ho announced that these AI-driven tablets, considered essential to the country’s educational reform, will be implemented in classrooms commencing next year, beginning with children as young as eight years old.
The initiative, which aims to integrate AI textbooks across various subjects by 2028, has lacked conviction due to the lack of detailed information about how the system will function. While the government promises personalized learning experiences and enhanced teacher oversight through dashboards, many remain wary of the broader impact on students’ development and the quality of education.
Touted as the first globally, the South Korean government’s proposal has met with strong resistance from parents concerned about their children’s increasing screen time and exposure to digital devices. Despite South Korea’s high ranking in the OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment, the government fears that the current focus on rote learning hinders creativity and innovation, which is essential for reducing reliance on traditional manufacturing sectors.
Education Minister Lee Ju-ho has emphasized the need to shift from memorization-based teaching to more interactive learning environments where students can actively participate and take control of their education. The planned AI-powered textbooks, set to be introduced by 2025, are designed to cater to individual learning speeds by offering customized tasks through AI-generated content. This approach aims to help teachers tailor lessons more effectively to each student’s needs.
A government official emphasized that AI-powered textbooks could help re-engage students who either find traditional lessons unchallenging or struggle to keep up. By offering diverse content tailored to various learning levels, these textbooks could ultimately encourage creative thinking.
However, details on the implementation and functionality of these digital textbooks remain scarce. The education ministry has highlighted potential benefits such as real-time translation for multilingual students and enhanced support for those with special needs. Yet, concerns persist about the accuracy of AI, especially its tendency to produce errors, or “hallucinations,” which could compromise the quality of education.
Parents’ apprehensions have grown, with over 50,000 signing petitions urging the government to prioritize students’ overall well-being over the adoption of new technology. They worry that students might misuse the devices for non-educational purposes, like gaming or browsing YouTube, and fear the long-term effects on concentration, reading skills, and eye health.
In contrast, a majority of teachers have welcomed the government’s plans, with 54% of state schoolteachers surveyed by the Korean Federation of Teachers’ Associations supporting the introduction of AI in classrooms. Nevertheless, this initiative contrasts with trends in other developed countries, where efforts are being made to limit students’ screen time in educational settings. As South Korea moves forward, the success of this ambitious plan will likely depend on balancing technological innovation with the fundamental needs of students.
Also Read:
- New BMS by Hyundai and Kia to Prevent EV Fires and Enhance Driver Safety
- KT and LG Electronics Partner to Lead Global 6G Standardization Efforts
- Hyundai and Kia Launch Free EV Inspections in Response to Fire Safety Concerns
- SK Telecom and Nokia Partner to Roll Out AI-Powered Fiber Sensing Nationwide
- Kakao Founder Kim Beom-su Indicted on Stock Manipulation Charges
