In Depth: Are AI-Powered Learning Gadgets Ready to Be at the Head of the Class?

Qin Xin, a Chinese parent, has been disappointed numerous times by educational electronics that eventually proved ineffective. Recently, however, he noticed his child's improved exam scores after using an AI-powered learning tablet at a neighbor’s house [para. 1][para. 2][para. 3]. This device captures the interest of many parents who, due to lack of time or expertise, cannot directly support their children's academic success. The banning of after-school tutoring in 2021 by regulators further boosts demand for such devices [para. 4].

The statistics from Beijing Runto Technology Co. Ltd. reveal that 4.721 million learning tablets were sold in 2023, an increase of 8.1% from 2022. The first quarter of 2024 alone saw a 79.9% increase in online sales, with nearly 70% of parents surveyed by iiMedia Research expressing willingness to purchase such devices [para. 5]. Parents and students report that these gadgets improve learning efficiency, although there's uncertainty about whether they can replace in-person tutoring and how regulators will view this burgeoning market [para. 6].

The rise of AI language models like ChatGPT since 2023 has invigorated the sector. New tablets feature "AI tutoring" and "parent control," appealing to time-pressed parents who prioritize education. Faster adoption of AI models by educational technology companies worldwide is evident in tools like Khan Academy's Khanmigo, Duolingo Max, and CheggMate, all based on ChatGPT-4. However, Chinese parents favor tangible hardware over software, and domestic firms are attempting to meet this demand with their own language models, although these are less mature [para. 7][para. 8][para. 9][para. 10].

Established companies like Guangdong Bubugao Electronics and Readboy Education dominate the market with their strong retail and supply chains. Firms like TAL Education Group and NetEase Youdao leverage their educational expertise, while tech giants like iFlytek and Baidu use their AI capabilities [para. 11]. These tablets feature question-answering capability, personalized suggestions, and real-time content adaptation. Zhang Jidong, iFlytek’s vice president, noted significant functional improvements in these devices, making them more teacher-like [para. 12]. The AI interactions encourage active and critical thinking rather than spoon-feeding answers to students [para. 13]. These devices also provide abundant resources like recorded lessons and regional curriculum-aligned question banks [para. 14].

However, these advanced gadgets come with high price tags, ranging from 4,000 to 10,000 yuan ($550-$1,375). Despite this, they are in high demand; sales surged by 90.2% year-on-year in the first half of 2023, with iFlytek reporting a gross merchandise value increase of 136% in May and 217% in June [para. 15][para. 16]. Early 2024 data indicates teaching product companies, led by TAL Education, outperforming tech firms in sales. AI-powered learning tablets are fostering new business models like supervised self-study sessions in rented study rooms, which have quickly become popular in areas with limited educational resources [para. 17][para. 18][para. 19].

Despite their popularity, the legal status and regulatory compliance of these education models are ambiguous. Current regulations treat these products as electronic consumer goods, though they must adhere to educational guidelines, and commercial use of generative AI tools requires registration [para. 20]. Regulatory concerns center around maintaining educational fairness and avoiding economic burdens on parents. It is essential these devices remain supplementary tools, not replacements for traditional schooling [para. 21]. Some parents worry about their accuracy; even irrelevant answers sometimes receive passing grades from the AI [para. 22]. The market, competitive and homogenized, needs continuous improvement to create products resembling excellent teachers [para. 24]. Domestic AI learning tools still can't match the quality of international models like ChatGPT-4, posing challenges for educational AI development in the country [para. 25][para. 26]. Nonetheless, AI has the potential to free teachers from rote tasks, allowing them to foster students' creativity and curiosity [para. 27]. The goal is for AI tablets to complement, not replace, human educators [para. 28].