National Assembly passes bill to switch AI-driven textbooks into 'education materials'
Students at an elementary school in the southeastern city of Daegu use artificial intelligence-based digital textbooks, April 10. Yonhap
The National Assembly on Monday passed a bill that classifies artificial intelligence (AI)-generated educational resources as "education materials" rather than official textbooks, rolling back the previous administration's plan to introduce AI digital textbooks nationwide.
With the passage of the revision to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, AI-generated materials will be used as optional supplementary tools rather than mandatory textbooks.
Lawmakers of the main opposition People Power Party have denounced the revision as a setback for classroom innovation, arguing that it deprives underprivileged students of education opportunities.
The introduction of AI digital textbooks was one of the flagship initiatives of former President Yoon Suk Yeol but was met with resistance from teachers and concerns that such textbooks could excessively increase screen time for the students, potentially hinder their literacy skills and cause budget constraints.
The revision earlier passed the Assembly under the Yoon administration but was scrapped after a presidential veto.
It will take effect immediately upon promulgation and remain effective until Dec. 31, 2027.