South Korea halts plan to use AI-generated books as textbooks

Under the new bill, AI-generated books would be used as reference books, rather than as mandatory textbooks.

South Korean students do push-ups with the "Alpha Mini" robot in Seoul, South Korea - Photo: AFP

On August 4, the South Korean National Assembly passed a bill to classify textbooks created with artificial intelligence (AI) as educational materials, instead of official textbooks. This decision reverses the previous decision of the administration of former President Yoon Suk Yeol.

With the passage of the amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, AI-generated materials will be used as optional supplementary tools, instead of as mandatory textbooks as before.

Lawmakers from the opposition People's Power Party (PPP) opposed the bill's passage, saying it would hinder educational reform and deprive students of new educational opportunities.

The introduction of AI digital textbooks was one of the key initiatives of former President Yoon Suk Yeol but faced resistance from teachers.

Teachers fear these textbooks could increase students' screen time, hinder their literacy skills and put a strain on budgets.

VNA

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/han-quoc-dung-ke-hoach-dung-sach-do-ai-tao-ra-lam-sach-giao-khoa-2025080308342161.htm