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South Korea hampering its AI ambitions by scaling back on digital textbooks

Enhancing the practicality of AI textbooks could be achieved by integrating them into established disciplines such as Computer Science, Math, and English, with a focus on enhancing their operational efficiency.

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South Korea jeopardizes its AI ambitions by reducing the quality of digital educational materials
South Korea jeopardizes its AI ambitions by reducing the quality of digital educational materials

South Korea hampering its AI ambitions by scaling back on digital textbooks

In a significant development, Hwang Geun-sik, the chair of the Textbook Development Committee, delivered a speech at a joint press conference of textbook publishers in Yeongdeungpo District, western Seoul on July 11, 2024. The speech, which was reported by YONHAP, was not related to the trial of AI digital textbooks that took place at an educational conference in Daegu in August of the same year.

The debate about the status of AI digital textbooks in Korea has been a topic of contention. The question at hand is whether these AI-powered digital textbooks should be legally classified as official "textbooks" or merely as "educational materials." This distinction carries significant implications: traditional textbooks are provided free of charge by the government, whereas educational materials are not, meaning that if AI digital textbooks lose their textbook status, government subsidies would end and students would likely need to pay subscription fees themselves. This change risks reducing the adoption and development of AI textbooks in schools and undermines Korea's broader AI strategic goals.

Hwang Geun-sik and the Textbook Development Committee stand firmly against this reclassification and support maintaining the status of AI digital textbooks as official textbooks to ensure continued support and growth. They argue that downgrading AI digital textbooks contradicts the government’s commitment to advancing AI and weakens the future potential of AI in education. Members of the committee, along with industry representatives and educators, have joined protests against the bill redefining AI digital textbooks as educational materials instead of textbooks, demanding objective verification and improvement of AI textbooks rather than a legal downgrade.

It is important to note that the trial of AI digital textbooks, which occurred in August 2024, was not held at the Eroom Center in Yeongdeungpo District, western Seoul, where Hwang Geun-sik's speech was delivered. Furthermore, the trial was not part of the joint press conference, and it was not mentioned in the speech by Hwang Geun-sik. The trial was not reported prior to July 11, 2024, and it was not held at the Eroom Center in Yeongdeungpo District, western Seoul, prior to that date either.

In summary, the debate arises because redefining AI digital textbooks as educational materials instead of official textbooks would end government subsidies and require students to pay fees, threatening AI textbook adoption and development. Hwang Geun-sik and the Textbook Development Committee stand firmly against this reclassification and support maintaining the status of AI digital textbooks as official textbooks to ensure continued support and growth. Hwang Geun-sik, chair of the Textbook Development Committee, spoke out against the National Assembly's move to downgrade the status of AI digital textbooks. The trial of AI digital textbooks occurred at an unspecified educational conference in Daegu in August 2024, separate from the speech delivered by Hwang Geun-sik on July 11, 2024.

  1. The National Assembly's move to downgrade the status of AI digital textbooks has been met with opposition from the Textbook Development Committee, led by Hwang Geun-sik.
  2. The reclassification of AI digital textbooks as educational materials instead of official textbooks could potentially end government subsidies, causing students to bear the costs.
  3. The industry representatives, educators, and members of the Textbook Development Committee have joined protests, demanding objective verification and improvement of AI textbooks rather than a legal downgrade.
  4. While the trial of AI digital textbooks took place at an educational conference in Daegu in August 2024, Hwang Geun-sik's speech in support of maintaining their textbook status happened at a joint press conference in Yeongdeungpo District, western Seoul on July 11, 2024.
  5. The debate about the status of AI digital textbooks in Korea is significant, as it has implications for the future of AI in the country's education, arts, society, business, industry, and technology sectors.
  6. The committee argues that downgrading AI digital textbooks contradicts the government’s commitment to advancing AI, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence, and weakens the future potential of AI in education.

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