The article elaborates on the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the everyday lives of people in South Korea, particularly focusing on its effects on education. A notable incident in June 2025, where the ChatGPT server experienced downtime, revealed the dependence many users have on the technology, with social media feedback indicating frustration over their inability to function without it. Furthermore, instances of academic dishonesty involving AI among students from top universities like Seoul National University and Yonsei University have raised alarms about the consequences of this over-reliance.

The article reports that AI is redefining the concept of studying, with a staggering 91.7% of college students and 96.5% of high school students admitting to using AI for assignments and projects. While some view this development as a natural progression, others warn that delegating critical thinking and writing tasks to AI could adversely affect students' abilities to perform academically and communicate effectively. The discourse around AI literacy has emerged as essential, underlining the necessity for individuals to develop critical thinking skills to navigate the challenges posed by AI misinformation and overreliance.

The piece also notes the uncertainty surrounding the future of AI, as articulated by OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman, emphasizing the critical importance of fostering AI literacy. UNESCO’s reports underline the need for enhancing critical thinking and judgment skills, especially as the European Union moves towards regulating AI applications. The complex relationship between reliance on AI and the potential cognitive skills degradation amongst users continues to be a focal point of discussion in the context of technological advancement and its implications for society.