Artificial intelligence-based learning contents are on display at an education fair in Incheon, Dec. 17. Yonhap

Digital "textbooks" generated by artificial intelligence (AI), originally set to be introduced next year as part of the government's digital transformation efforts, will be utilized as "educational materials" rather than textbooks, officials said Thursday.

The opposition-controlled National Assembly passed an amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which defines AI-generated digital textbooks as educational resources.

Under the revised act, textbooks are limited to printed books and e-books while AI-generated learning contents are categorized as supplementary class materials.

School principals, rather than the education minister, will now have the right to decide whether or not to use the AI-based instruction materials.

With the vote's passage, the education ministry's plan to introduce AI textbooks in English, mathematics and other courses at certain grade levels from elementary to high school starting next school year has been put on hold.

Education Minister Lee Ju-ho said he will propose the parliament reconsider its decision, voicing concerns over "confusion" in schools and society.

AI digital textbooks have been pushed as part of the government's digital education innovation to offer diverse learning contents through expanded virtual world (metaverse) and interactive AI technologies. (Yonhap)