South Korean schools unprepared for AI integration despite teacher usage

Although a significant portion of South Korean teachers have experience using artificial intelligence in their classrooms, schools are struggling to implement AI tools effectively. A report by the Korea Educational Development Institute (KEDI) indicates that while 43% of Korean teachers have used AI, challenges related to student digital literacy and insufficient infrastructure hinder its stable application.

Student-level difficulties range from basic operations like logging in and file sharing to more complex issues such as entering personal information into AI systems or the misuse of deepfake technology. These hurdles impede the seamless integration of AI into the learning process. The report also highlights a considerable gap in teachers' understanding and proficiency with AI, leading to disparities in the educational experiences students receive.

Teachers frequently cite inadequate school network infrastructure as a major bottleneck, with slow Wi-Fi speeds making it difficult for an entire class to use AI tools simultaneously. Additionally, issues such as aging equipment, the lack of alignment between AI tools and the curriculum, unstable budgets, and rigid budget execution processes further complicate AI adoption.

Park Hyo-jin, a research fellow at KEDI, emphasized the need for a more prepared environment, stating, "AI tools have already entered the classroom, but the readiness to embrace them is not yet sufficient." She called for consistent, field-oriented policies to ensure the successful integration of AI in education.

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AI tools have already entered the classroom, but the readiness to embrace them is not yet sufficient. Consistent, field-oriented policies are needed to ensure the successful integration of AI utilization education.