AI Labels Teacher’s Encouragement as 'Lies'—Educators Protest Infringement of Teaching Authority

[Financial News] The Gyeonggi-do Office of Education sparked controversy after releasing a promotional video for Hi-Learning. The video, which depicted artificial intelligence (AI) evaluating teachers’ words and actions, drew criticism for undermining teachers’ authority. In response, the video was deleted and the teacher who appeared in it reportedly issued a public apology to all educators.
According to the Herald Economy on the 20th, Teacher A, who appeared in the Hi-Learning promotional video, posted an apology titled 'I am sorry, teachers' on an elementary school teachers’ online community.
Teacher A wrote, 'The inappropriate content in the Gyeonggi-do Office of Education’s AI-based Descriptive and Essay Assessment System promotional video has caused significant pain and harm to teachers. Many were shocked by the scene where a student strongly objected to the assessment results.'
The teacher continued, 'Whenever I receive objections to assessments in the classroom, I feel anger and helplessness at the reality of teachers’ authority being undermined. The video’s portrayal of this reality in a mocking manner left me with an even greater sense of guilt and self-reproach.'
Teacher A further apologized, stating, 'As a cast member, I had the opportunity to address the inappropriate content during the script and filming process but failed to do so at the time. I sincerely regret having diminished the efforts of teachers who quietly protect their students in the classroom, not fully recognizing the weight of content produced under the name of teaching.'
The video in question, titled '2035 Hi-Learning,' was uploaded to YouTube on the 11th. It featured the AI-based Descriptive and Essay Assessment System assisting teachers in grading Korean language descriptive and essay exams—one of the Gyeonggi-do Office of Education’s core policies.
The controversial scene showed a character dressed as AI helping a teacher explain to students who were challenging incorrect answers.
When a teacher encouraged a student analyzing Yun Dong-ju’s 'Prologue,' the AI responded, 'That was an empty compliment. Your pupils were shaking, and your voice lacked sincerity.' When the teacher mentioned having a meeting during break time, the AI replied, 'That’s a lie. You usually use this time to go to the restroom.'
Teachers’ unions criticized the Gyeonggi-do Office of Education, accusing it of trivializing teachers’ authority.
The National Union of Secondary School Teachers issued a statement expressing regret, saying, 'The video distorts and ridicules the interactions between teachers and students, demeaning educational activities.' The Gyeonggi Branch of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union also protested, stating, 'It depicts teachers as mere appendages to AI and reveals a dismissive attitude toward teachers and the essence of education.'
The Gyeonggi Teachers' Union also pointed out, 'This goes beyond simple overproduction and constitutes a violation of teachers’ human rights by insulting those working in the field.'
Subsequently, the Gyeonggi-do Office of Education made the video private, and Superintendent Im Tae-hee posted an apology on the official website on the 18th.
Superintendent Im stated, 'This incident occurred because we failed to properly review the work that involved teachers’ participation. I humbly accept that, contrary to our intentions, we have hurt teachers in the field and feel a heavy sense of responsibility.' He added, 'Regardless of the circumstances, the responsibility is clearly mine.'
y27k@fnnews.com Seo Yoon-kyung Reporter