South Korea Hits Pause on AI Textbooks: Lessons Learned from a Costly Rollout

Over the past several months, a contentious debate has emerged in South Korea regarding the use of artificial intelligence in education, culminating in a rather dramatic reversal. After investing a whopping 1.2 trillion won (around $850 million) into the development of AI textbooks aimed at enhancing learning experiences in schools, the South Korean government has decided to backpedal on this initiative just four months into its rollout.

What Went Wrong? Let’s Break It Down!

Reports have surfaced suggesting that the AI textbooks were riddled with inaccuracies, sparking concern not only among educators but also among parents and students. One student shared a poignant insight: “Classes were delayed due to technical issues with the textbooks. I struggled to maintain focus since the materials didn’t cater to my level.” This indicates not only communication gaps but also a potential disconnect between textbook content and student needs.

Despite this, Kim Jong-hee, the chief digital officer of Dong-A Publishing, pointed to some advantages of these AI-driven textbooks. “Engaging with familiar digital devices helps to keep students focused and more involved,” he argued. His team believed the textbooks offered tailored support to students who were grappling with challenging subjects.

Initially, the government mandated the use of these AI textbooks at the beginning of the school year in March. Yet, after only one semester, their status shifted to 'optional', with the number of schools actually using them halving. What happened here?

The Clock Was Ticking — Too Fast, Too Soon?

In January, during a heated session in the National Assembly, legislator Kang Kyung-sook raised eyebrows with tough questions aimed at the Minister for Education. Traditional printed textbooks typically undergo extensive development processes—18 months for creation, nine months for review, and six for prep. In stark contrast, these AI textbooks took just one year to bring to market. Why the rush, especially considering the delicate nature of materials meant for children?

This quick rollout has led many to consider whether the hasty implementation stemmed from political motivations, especially with a new government in play during the rollout. Technology initiatives in schools are not uncommon, yet they often come at a fraction of the cost and typically yield longer-lasting results than this AI venture.

Remember the Online Schools Project in South Africa? Launched in the early 2000s to equip schools with computer labs and internet access, it faced its own demise in 2013, costing taxpayers about R1 billion ($57 million). Similar tales sprouting from Malaysia’s 1BestariNet show that technology in education is a tricky business. Investigations revealed discrepancies between promised and delivered internet speeds, leading to the project’s cancellation despite its significant investment—totaling billions of ringgit.

Learning from Lessons of the Past

The rapid downfall of South Korea’s AI textbooks has proven to be a cautionary tale. With the huge financial investment gone awry, stakeholders are now assessing possible futures of digital learning in the context of educational AI. Research from institutions like MIT suggests that deploying AI in educational settings could negatively influence students' cognitive abilities in the long run, inviting further skepticism about its place in classrooms.

As we ponder the implications of this initiative, it raises an interesting question—can AI genuinely transform education, or is it yet another tech fad that looks shiny on the outside but fails to deliver sustainable value? Only time will tell how countries like South Korea and beyond will respond to the digital age's challenges in education.