Seoul, South Korea – There’s a tectonic shift taking place in the education system of South Korea, where almost 30% of schools, from elementary to senior high schools, are now using artificial intelligence (AI) in the classroom to improve the learning experiences of their pupils. This is a big shift from the normal way of teaching, as AI-powered digital textbooks have been deployed nationwide since March.
The concept took center stage at a recent APEC education ministers’ meeting in South Korea, as the country highlighted its efforts to digitize the classroom. Key to this change is the launch later this year of AI-enabled digital textbooks for English and Mathematics for select grades across the country.
A preview of such A.I.-embedded education was on view at Andeok Elementary School in Jeju, a government-designated model for digital-first learning. At a fourth-grade math class, which international officials visited, students were observed solving problems on tablets and watching as those answers popped up in handwriting in real time on a digital board. This illustrated how AI can be interactive and reactive in helping to deliver an engaging lesson.
AI-based textbooks meant to tailor learning to individual students by adjusting content and challenge level in accordance to the pace and understanding of each. The AI systems are capable of delivering real-time feedback that teachers can use to get data-driven insights into how students are performing and to then adjust their teaching as needed.
As these AI tools come online, teachers may also see relief to their overworked schedules through the automation of certain tasks, including grading, allowing them to invest that time in more personalized mentorship for students.
Although rapid adaptation of AI in education brings lots of possibilities, it also results in some difficulties. Equitable digital access for all regions and enough upskilling for teachers to meaningfully use these new tools are two key lessons South Korea should learn.
Nevertheless, the shift represents South Korea’s determination to use technology to build an education system for students which is more flexible and efficient, and could pave the way for other countries to also include AI in their education systems.
