Barriers to integrating artificial intelligence education: implications from five early adopters in South Korea

Background and Context In 2020, South Korea launched a nationwide AI education pilot with the goal of integrating AI into the K-12 curriculum by 2025; however, the barriers that teachers encounter remain unclear.Objective This case study examines the challenges encountered by five AI education-core teachers who began implementing AI education in South Korea.Method Five AI education-core teachers shared the barriers they encountered and observed during the AI education pilot. The data was analyzed using open coding and thematic analysis.Findings Three primary themes emerged regarding barriers to AI education integration: (a) Advocating for more resources (first-order barriers), (b) Slight intrinsic conflicts (second-order barriers), and (c) Reflecting on their roles within the AI Integration policy (potential third-order barriers).Implications Understanding barriers is crucial for developing effective strategies that support teachers and facilitate AI education in K-12 settings in South Korea and other countries with similar goals for educational technology integration.