South Korea’s AI Textbook Reversal

August 2025

What would it mean to pour $500 million into reimagining education only to watch it get reversed overnight?

That’s exactly what just happened in South Korea.

Schools across the country had already started using AI-powered textbooks, tools meant to help teachers personalize lessons and support students at different levels. Parents were told this was the future. And then, just like that, the government pulled the plug.

Now, schools are scrambling, education companies are reeling, and families are left wondering what happened.

This is more than a policy change. It’s a wake-up call.

A story full of tension:

• Innovation vs. Caution
• Big ambitions vs. everyday trust
• Going fast vs. doing it right

But most of all, it’s a reminder to parents, your voice matters.

So, What Happened?

Between 2022 and 2024, South Korea introduced AI-based textbooks in math, English, and coding. The promise?

• Personalized learning for every child
• Narrowing the gap between regions and income levels
• Preparing kids for a tech-driven world

By early 2025, more than 30% of schools had adopted them. A full national rollout was just around the corner.

But the backlash was swift.

By mid-year, South Korea’s lawmakers passed a bill that removed official textbook status from all AI-based materials. Starting immediately, they could only be used as supplements. Not as the main curriculum.

Why the Change of Heart?

• Teachers pushed back. Over 90% of educators in Seoul opposed the rollout.
• Parents spoke up. A petition with more than 56,000 signatures asked for a pause.
• Concerns piled up. Too much screen time. Less face-to-face learning. Not enough proof these tools actually worked.

It wasn’t just hesitation. It was the system saying, “Slow down.”

Why This Feels So Big

South Korea isn’t just any country when it comes to education.

It’s a global leader consistently topping international rankings in reading, math, and science. Even former U.S. President Barack Obama once praised South Korea’s culture of respect for educators, noting:

“In South Korea, teachers are known as ‘nation-builders.’”

So when a country this committed to excellence reverses course, it’s not just news, it’s a signal to the world.

Who’s Affected?

• Schools are rewriting plans and budgets mid-year.
• EdTech companies are facing massive losses from canceled contracts.
• Students are stuck in the middle, using tools now labeled “unofficial.”
• And parents are asking: Can I even trust what my school says is next?

Why It Matters

At GiftedTalented.com, we’ve always believed technology should support teachers and students—not replace them. And never without input from the families it impacts most.

That’s why South Korea’s story hits close to home. Because it reflects the same questions many of us are asking:

• Is this helping my child—or just adding noise?
• Are schools moving too fast—or falling behind?
• Who’s actually in charge of what’s being taught?

There’s no easy answer. But one thing is clear:
Parents need a seat at the table.

Our Take

This isn’t just a South Korean issue.
It’s a preview of what every country will wrestle with.

AI and new tech will shape our kids’ classrooms. It’s already happening.
But the questions are:

• How do we roll it out?
• Who gets to decide?
• And what really matters?

At GiftedTalented.com, we stand for:

✅ Tools that are grounded in research, not trends
✅ Classrooms that center real human connection, not just screens
✅ Parents who speak up and shape the future alongside educators

Want to Go Deeper?

If you're asking bigger questions about your child’s future—you’re not alone.

For serious, intentional parents who want more than just tips and tools, we’re building something different.

United Parents (UP) is a private community and mastermind group for those ready to raise extraordinary kids and help shape what’s next in education, not just for their family, but for all families.

Right now, forming our inner circle of circles, a founding cohort of just 12 parents to kick off the first conversations.

Inside UP, parents and experts share:

✅ Battle-tested strategies and real-world wins
✅ A seat at the table to influence and impact education
✅ Insider wisdom from educators, advocates, and each other

This isn’t just support. It’s a coalition. A co-op. A movement grounded in collective parenting power.

🟢 Want in? Add your name. We'll reach out personally.
(We’re building this carefully, and together.)

→ Join UP