Summary of Key Points
At the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), the education technology company Yuanfu Tutor released its self-developed “AI Reading” product. This product addresses the challenges faced by teenagers in reading—lack of parental time for accompaniment, high costs of one-on-one tutoring, and the lack of space for independent thinking in traditional reading classes. It uses AI to guide children in autonomous reading and independent thinking, embodying the philosophy that “AI should be a partner that inspires thought, not a substitute.” Preliminary test data shows that it can significantly increase children’s active reading time and willingness to express themselves. The company plans to continue exploring the positive applications of AI in education in the future.
I. Parents’ Concerns and Industry Challenges Drive the Development of AI Reading
With the widespread use of generative AI, many parents are concerned: If children can access knowledge at any time with AI, do they still need to engage in deep reading? Will they become dependent on AI and lose their ability to think independently? These are common concerns.
At the same time, the reading industry faces a persistent challenge: it is difficult to balance quality, scalability, and personalization. For example, parents may be too busy to spend long periods of time accompanying their children in in-depth reading; hiring professional tutors for one-on-one tutoring can be unaffordable for most families; and traditional reading classes often involve the teacher lecturing while the children listen, with little opportunity for them to express themselves and think. Yuanfu Tutor’s AI Reading product is designed to address these issues.
II. How Does AI Reading Help Children “Fall in Love with Reading and Learn to Think?”
This product doesn’t simply digitize books; instead, it uses three clever strategies to guide children:
1. 3D Animation + Personalized Accompaniment to Lower the Bar to Reading: For instance, when reading “Journey to the West,” a humorous storyteller accompanies the child; when reading “The Little Prince,” a romantic pilot becomes a dialogue partner, using cinematic visuals to make reading more engaging and motivating.
2. Progressive Questions to Encourage Independent Thinking: Unlike traditional AI that provides standard answers, this product asks follow-up questions to encourage children to think for themselves. For example, if a child asks why Sun Wukong must embark on a journey to obtain the scriptures, it might ask, “What’s the difference between life on Flower Fruit Mountain and the journey to obtain the scriptures?” or “What would happen if he stayed on Flower Fruit Mountain?” This process helps children develop their own independent opinions, such as realizing that it is not the Buddha who defeats Sun Wukong, but his pride.
3. A “Shining Moments” Feedback Loop to Give Children a Sense of Achievement: After completing a book, the system generates a personalized reading sharing video based on the child’s interactions and thoughts, transforming the child from a passive listener into an active explorer.
III. The Core Philosophy: AI as a “Thinking Partner,” Not an “Answer Machine”
Yuanfu Tutor emphasizes that AI itself is neither good nor bad; it depends on how it is used. While traditional AI tools provide direct answers, AI Reading encourages children to find their own solutions. For example, the insights of a fifth-grade student are not from the textbook but are the result of independent thinking guided by the AI—this represents the difference between “inspiring thought” and “replacing thought,” as well as a concrete manifestation of how AI can be used for good in education.
IV. Initial Success and Future Plans
Preliminary test data shows that after using the product for one month, children’s active reading time increased by 67%, and 86% were more willing to express their ideas. Yuanfu Tutor plans to continue investing in AI research and development to make high-quality reading resources accessible to more children from ordinary families, turning AI into a truly intelligent partner that helps them grow. The company also aims to contribute Chinese solutions to global AI education.
The overall logic of the product is clear: using AI to solve the problems of making reading more accessible, encouraging deeper thinking, and providing feedback. The ultimate goal is to make children not only love reading but also think independently—this aligns with the WAIC’s commitment to using AI for good in the field of education.