How to Educate Children in the Age of AI: Insights from South Korea's Deputy Prime Minister

By Yoon Juhye Posted : August 3, 2026, 16:44 Updated : August 3, 2026, 16:44
Addressing Your Fears About AI
"How should we educate our children in the age of AI?"

In a rapidly changing world driven by artificial intelligence, this question has likely crossed the minds of many parents. South Korea's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT, Baek Kyung-hun, has provided thoughtful answers in a new book that addresses the 14 most frequently asked questions he has encountered over his 25 years of AI research.

The book explores how individuals, society, and government should respond to the significant changes brought about by AI. It covers a wide range of topics, including child education in the AI era, preparing for shifts in the job market, startup strategies, appropriate uses of AI in the workplace, the necessity of sovereign AI, and the risks posed by deepfakes and fake news.

Baek cautions that the answers he provides are relevant to 2026 but may not hold true in 2030. However, he emphasizes that certain educational principles remain unchanged. Engaging in simple conversations with children and thinking through their questions together will still be the most important aspects of education five years from now. He asserts that the ability to ask good questions and think critically is becoming more vital than merely memorizing answers.

The book also offers practical methods for utilizing AI, including how to formulate questions to obtain desired answers and how to verify results. It suggests focusing on vertical AI sectors specialized in specific industries rather than competing directly with big tech companies when preparing for a startup. For those looking to understand the significant changes AI will bring and how to prepare for them, this book is highly recommended.

"What preparations is our country making to embrace the age of artificial intelligence? I would like to answer this question as follows: Our goal is not to make children memorize answers more quickly. Instead, we aim to help them grow into individuals who can hold onto their own questions. In the age of AI, the ability to ask questions is more important than the ability to memorize answers." (Page 331)

Investment Basics to Avoid Being Taken Advantage Of
This book provides essential investment knowledge for beginners. Author Lee Hyun-woo, known for guiding those unfamiliar with economic concepts, has released a straightforward investment textbook aimed at novices. It clearly explains key concepts, making it accessible for readers who may feel overwhelmed by complex terminology and numerous investment products. The book covers the fundamentals of investing across six chapters, including savings accounts, stocks, funds, ETFs, interest rates, exchange rates, insurance, pensions, and real estate.

"ETFs combine the advantages of both funds and stocks, allowing beginners to invest with a small amount of money, making them suitable for gaining practical experience. Their structure is relatively simple, and their trading method is similar to that of regular stocks, serving as a benchmark for understanding other financial products. There are many financial products with similar names, such as ELS, ELD, and ELF. While they may appear similar, their structures, investment methods, and risk levels can be entirely different." (Page 138)

One Hour
With the subtitle "The Miracle of One Hour in the Morning That Can Change Your Life," the author Koji Inoue argues that simply waking up just one hour earlier can transform your life. The key is not the wake-up time itself, but how you utilize that hour. He suggests using morning time for purposeful activities like reading, studying, or exercising, or for lifestyle activities such as walking, stretching, or cleaning to restore balance in life. The book also includes practical tips based on the author's extensive experience, such as prioritizing sleep and designing a manageable schedule. For those who often feel pressed for time in their busy lives, experiencing the remarkable difference that a small change in morning routine can make is worth exploring.

"If you could choose between 'earning 100,000 won per hour' and 'one hour of free time,' which would you choose? Most people would opt for the time that allows them to earn money (i.e., 100,000 won per hour). However, if you choose 'one hour of free time,' you won't earn money. Instead, imagine using that time to learn a skill. After 10, 100, or even 1,000 hours of practice, you could develop an incredible skill that surpasses the value of earning 100,000 won per hour by five or ten times." (Page 34)



* This article has been translated by AI.

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