Seventy-six artificial intelligence(AI)-based digital textbooks have been officially certified for classroom use starting next year, marking a first in South Korea’s education system. 

The education ministry announced Friday that it has dropped Korean language, technology and home economics from the list of subjects originally set for inclusion in the AI digital textbooks it is introducing in 2025. 

AI textbooks for math, English and information technology will be used in third and fourth grade classes in elementary schools, as well as middle school and high school freshman classes, beginning in the new academic year in March.

Selected from a pool of 146 submissions, the certified textbooks will be distributed to schools starting Monday. 

Each school will be able to decide which ones to use in classrooms alongside traditional paper textbooks. 

The ministry had said these digital textbooks aim to deliver personalized learning experiences tailored to each student’s abilities and proficiency levels.