South Korea’s ambitious plan to introduce AI-powered textbooks across schools has come to an abrupt end after just four months. The government had invested 1.2 trillion won (approximately $850 million) in developing the digital materials, but the initiative faced widespread criticism over technical failures, data privacy risks, and increased strain on teachers and students.
Students reported frequent system crashes and inconsistent learning experiences. One student told Rest of World, “All our classes were delayed because of technical problems with the textbooks. I found it hard to stay focused and keep on track. The textbooks didn’t provide lessons tailored to my level.”
Supporters of the project, such as Kim Jong-hee, Chief Digital Officer of Dong-A Publishing, highlighted potential benefits, noting that digital materials could keep students “more engaged and provide personalized support for those struggling with lessons.” Despite these claims, frustration among educators and parents mounted as classrooms struggled to adapt to the technology.
From Mandatory to Optional in a Semester
Originally, the use of AI textbooks was mandatory from the start of the school year in March. However, after just one semester, participation dropped by half, and the program was reclassified as optional. Critics pointed to a rushed rollout as a major factor behind the failure.
In a National Assembly session, lawmaker Kang Kyung-sook questioned the project’s pace: “Traditional print textbooks take 18 months to develop and nine months for review, but these AI textbooks took just 12 months to develop and three months for review. Why was it rushed? Since they target children, they require careful verification and procedures.”
Observers also note that political shifts and a change in government leadership during the rollout further disrupted the program’s continuity.
Lessons from Past EdTech Failures
South Korea’s AI textbook collapse is not the first large-scale digital education project to falter. Similar government-backed programs around the world have struggled with scalability and practicality.
In South Africa, the Online Schools Project aimed to provide digital resources and internet access to schools but was scrapped in 2013 after costing taxpayers around R1 billion ($57 million). Likewise, Malaysia’s 1BestariNet virtual learning environment was terminated in 2019 after eight years and billions of ringgit spent, following complaints of slow speeds and technical discrepancies.
The rapid failure of South Korea’s project — both in cost and timescale — underscores the complexity of integrating AI into education effectively.
Are AI Tools Ready for Classrooms?
Beyond technical and political issues, researchers are questioning whether AI-based education is suitable for developing minds. A recent MIT study suggested that long-term reliance on AI learning systems could reduce brain activity, hinting at potential drawbacks for young learners.
The South Korean government’s retreat from its AI textbook plan highlights a broader global challenge: while AI promises personalization and efficiency in education, its real-world implementation often exposes deep flaws in readiness, infrastructure, and pedagogy.
As nations explore AI’s role in classrooms, South Korea’s experience serves as a costly reminder that innovation must be matched with caution, testing, and human-centered design.
Source: https://www.artificialintelligence-news.com/news/south-korea-ai-schools-programme-project-failure/
