The legal status of artificial intelligence (AI) digital textbooks has been downgraded from textbooks to educational materials in just one semester. Consequently, schools can decide to adopt AI textbooks voluntarily, rather than mandatorily.
The Ministry of Education noted on 4th that the amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, classifying AI textbooks as educational materials, was passed in a National Assembly plenary session.
The amendment passed on that day defines 'learning support software utilizing intelligent information technology,' such as AI textbooks, as educational materials rather than textbooks.
The implementation date is immediate after promulgation.
AI textbooks are an education policy of the Yoon Suk-yeol government introduced to provide customized education tailored to individual student levels utilizing advanced AI features. They were implemented for 3rd and 4th grade elementary school students (English and Mathematics), 1st grade middle school students, and 1st grade high school students (English, Mathematics, and Information) in the first semester of this year.
However, the government allowed schools to autonomously choose textbooks when introducing AI textbooks in some grades of elementary, middle, and high schools. This is due to the negative perception raised by some in the education sector regarding AI textbooks.
In response, the Democratic Party of Korea initially passed this bill in the plenary session at the end of last year. However, then acting President Choi Sang-mok, who is also the Minister of Economy and Finance, exercised his veto power, leading to its dismissal.
The Ministry of Education stated regarding future measures following the passage of the amendment, "We will work with the education offices of each province to ensure there are no disruptions in the field," and added, "We will promptly guide through frequently asked questions (FAQ) to ensure there are no disruptions in the academic operation of the second semester."