Labor challenging AI-driven market creation: the case of South Korea’s AI-based digital textbooks

This paper examines how workers’ collective action deterred the South Korean government and EdTech companies from implementing AI-Based Digital Textbooks (AIDTs). In 2023, introduction of AIDTs emerged amid the proliferation of generative AI and the government’s strong commitment to AI development. In partnership with EdTech companies, the Ministry of Education (MoE) sought to revolutionize classrooms by implementing AIDTs in public education. Led by a minister with close EdTech ties, the MoE argued that AIDTs represented educational innovation and would create new markets for capital accumulation. However, opposition emerged from progressive teacher unions, NGOs, and opposition parties once implementation strategies revealed significant problems: soaring costs, rushed top-down processes, the inferior AIDTs quality, private appropriation of personal data, and negative educational impacts. Clashes over AIDTs persisted during political upheaval that included a failed coup and presidential impeachment, but workers’ ongoing struggle, in conjunction with regime change, culminated in the National Assembly enacting legislation to block AIDTs introduction. South Korea’s experience reveals the pivotal role of workers’ strategies and solidarity and highlights the need for critical reflection on AI’s capitalist utilization and contradictions.