Introduction to AI Textbooks in South Korea
The South Korean government invested a significant amount of 1.2 trillion won ($850m) in developing AI textbooks for schools. However, the national program was rolled back after just four months due to several issues, including inaccurate texts, concerns about privacy, and increased workloads on staff and pupils.
Problems with the AI Textbooks
Students experienced technical problems with the textbooks, which caused delays in classes. A student quoted in an article by Junhyup Kwon in Rest Of World said, "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." This suggests that the AI textbooks failed to provide personalized support for students, which was one of their intended advantages.
Advantages of AI Textbooks
Kim Jong-hee, chief digital officer of Dong-A Publishing, one of the textbook developers, spoke about the benefits of AI books, saying, "Using digital devices [students] are familiar with keeps them more focused, awake, and more willing to participate. The textbooks provide more personalized support for students struggling with lessons." However, these advantages were not realized in practice, and the program was ultimately rolled back.
Development and Implementation of AI Textbooks
The Korean government originally commissioned publishers to produce the AI textbooks, who spent around $567m to develop the online, digital texts. The use of AI textbooks was made mandatory in the country from the beginning of the school year in March but was later made optional after just one semester. The number of schools using the AI textbooks has halved in that time.
Criticisms and Controversies
Legislator Kang Kyung-sook questioned the Minister for Education about the rushed development of the AI textbooks, saying, "Traditional print textbooks take 18 months to develop, nine months for review, and six months for preparation. But the AI textbooks took only 12 [months to develop], three [months for review], and three months [for preparation] […]. Why was it rushed? Since they target children, they require careful verification and careful procedures." The failure of the AI textbook scheme has also been blamed on the politicization of the issue and a change of government as the program was being rolled out.
Comparison with Other Failed Educational Technology Projects
The failure of the South Korean AI textbooks project is not an isolated incident. Other countries have also experienced failures in implementing educational technology projects. For example, in South Africa’s Guateng Province, the Online Schools Project was designed to equip schools with computer labs and internet connections but was scrapped in 2013 at a cost of R1-billion rand ($57m). In 2019, Malaysia’s 1BestariNet, a cloud-based virtual learning environment, was terminated after eight years amid investigations into alleged inconsistencies between internet speed claims and the reality experienced by many schools.
Implications of the Failure of AI Textbooks
The speed of the failure of the South Korean AI textbooks project and its high cost suggest that the educational adoption of AI texts delivered digitally is pitted with difficulty. An academic study conducted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology published earlier this year hinted that using AI in educational contexts lowers brain activity in the long-term, which suggests that the technology may not be suitable for developing minds.
Conclusion
The failure of the South Korean AI textbooks project highlights the challenges of implementing educational technology initiatives. While AI textbooks may have potential advantages, such as providing personalized support for students, they also pose significant risks, including technical problems, privacy concerns, and increased workloads on staff and pupils. As educators and policymakers, it is essential to carefully consider these risks and benefits before investing in such initiatives.
FAQs
- What was the investment in the South Korean AI textbooks project?
The South Korean government invested 1.2 trillion won ($850m) in developing AI textbooks for schools. - What were the main problems with the AI textbooks?
The main problems with the AI textbooks included technical problems, inaccurate texts, concerns about privacy, and increased workloads on staff and pupils. - What are the potential advantages of AI textbooks?
The potential advantages of AI textbooks include providing personalized support for students, keeping them more focused, awake, and willing to participate. - What can be learned from the failure of the South Korean AI textbooks project?
The failure of the South Korean AI textbooks project highlights the importance of carefully considering the risks and benefits of educational technology initiatives before investing in them.
