AI Tutors Are Going Mainstream—But Can They Replace Human Teachers?

In a classroom in Daejeon, a 14-year-old student reviews grammar questions with an AI chatbot named “Saengsaeng.” It’s polite, patient, and adapts instantly to her mistakes. In many Korean schools and hagwons, this scene is becoming increasingly common.

AI-powered tutoring platforms like Riiid, Wrtn, and Classum are spreading fast. They offer 24/7 access, personalized learning paths, and instant feedback—often at a fraction of private tutoring costs. For parents weary of soaring education fees, they seem like a dream.

“I used to pay ₩700,000 a month for math hagwon,” says one parent in Suwon. “Now my daughter studies through AI for less than ₩50,000—and she likes it better.”

But teachers are raising concerns. “No algorithm replaces human care,” says Kim Nayoung, a middle school English teacher. “We don’t just explain concepts—we notice moods, fears, and burnout.”

The Ministry of Education is piloting AI integration policies in 50 public schools. Early results show improved test scores, especially in low-income districts. However, student engagement and emotional development metrics remain unclear.

EdTech companies insist AI is a supplement, not a substitute. But with rising teacher shortages and parental demand, pressure is growing to let AI take over more instruction.

Critics warn of long-term risks: social isolation, over-standardized learning, and data privacy concerns. “Children deserve more than optimization,” says child psychologist Dr. Shin Yura. “They deserve connection.”

As Korea races ahead in AI education, it must ask: Is efficiency enough? Or is education still, at its heart, a human conversation?

Date: 2025-01-13

Reporter: 박근홍