In the ever-evolving landscape of education technology, 2024 marked a significant turning point with the emergence of DeepSeek as a dominating forceRather than remaining tucked away in a niche area of the AI application market, education has asserted itself as a formidable contenderThis shift has been vividly illustrated by the noticeable increase in the number of educational applications utilizing large AI models, as they now sit comfortably among the top-grossing apps alongside tools for personal assistance, emotional companionship, and creativity.
The growing importance of educational applications has been underscored by the fact that numerous apps for essay grading and language conversations have broken into the top tier of third-party AI productsDespite the influx of educational large models in the market, the number of native applications specifically tailored for education has remained modest—a stark contrast to the myriad offerings targeting the consumer market, which continue to underperform.
DeepSeek's incorporation into educational content creators like Xueersi, Zuoyebang, and Youdao has significantly impacted the educational landscapeWith its exceptional capabilities in mathematics and reasoning, DeepSeek has effectively halved operational costsThis advancement positions the platform at the forefront of a potential renaissance in educational technology, where rapid iterations of native applications are now emerging.
The rise of these educational AI products suggests a shift in mission: moving beyond merely providing answers to equipping students with the ability to ask the right questionsIf this experimental approach proves fruitful, it could lead to a new era in educational tools, supplanting older generations of applications.
However, the quick adoption of DeepSeek also brings challengesIt has clearly expanded the technical divide among educational companies, with many following suit rather than leading the charge
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Only a handful of organizations, including the aforementioned names, are taking significant strides toward adopting native applications powered by large AI modelsMost others have cautiously embraced these new technologies, creating a stark dichotomy within the educational landscape.
As 2024 unfolded, various studies indicated a burgeoning demand for AI-assisted learning tools among graduate studentsA survey conducted by Peking University revealed that only 6% of master's degree students and 8.9% of doctorate students had previously used AI-generated content (AIGC) tools for writing assistance, highlighting an astonishingly low adoption rateDespite this, the primary uses for AIGC tools among graduate students included tasks such as writing course papers, gathering research materials, and refining translations—a clear indication of the potential for further growth.
Conversely, data from the McKinsey Research Institute showed that nearly all participants in a recent study had engaged with AIGC technologies in some capacity, hinting at a growing trendOf the 3,297 respondents surveyed, a mere 1% claimed never to have used such toolsThe evidence indicates strong penetration of large-model applications within the academic community, spurred on by the availability of native applications.
Notable new entrants like Doubao, Kimi, and other intelligent assistants have captivated users, with monthly active users exceeding ten million for someDoubao, for instance, has surpassed 70 million active users—testament to the growing acceptance and reliance on these AI applicationsOther innovative educational applications, including Guangsu Writing and Talk AI, have garnered significant user engagement in their respective realms, with Guangsu Writing establishing itself as a leading tool for essay correction and peer-to-peer dialogue.
Glancing at the broader picture, prominent education companies have made significant investments in developing tools that leverage DeepSeek
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Underlining this trend, the CEO of Youdao highlighted the suitability of large models within language-learning contexts, noting their innate strengths in multi-language interactionsBut while advancements are being made in areas like essay correction and language conversation, the performance of applications aimed at answering questions in mathematical and scientific domains has not met initial expectations.
Despite expectations for growth in response to DeepSeek’s advancements, educational technology companies face a demanding landscapeA key challenge remains the slow progress in developing precise and accurate responses for science-related questions—a critical element for educational successTraditional methods involved utilizing question bank applications to meet demand, where real-time answers failed to alleviate user expectations.
Yet, the combination of DeepSeek and educational AI models has opened doors for innovations in educational technology that were previously thought impossibleWith improvements in accuracy close to human-level comprehension, confidence in these educational tools is growingFor instance, applications aimed at subject-specific questions across different education levels have successfully utilized novel methods to ensure that explanations are age-appropriate and contextually meaningful.
The landscape of educational products is undergoing a transformation, where tools equipped with AI are increasingly poised to challenge traditional methodsCompanies such as Xueersi and Yuanfudao have begun creating platforms that harness the power of DeepSeek, leading to the launch of all-subject query applications that adapt to various learning levelsThis pivot toward an AI-driven approach deepens the intersection of technology and education.
Yet, questions loom regarding the fate of traditional question bank applications in this competitive landscapeMarket needs suggest that both types of products—question banks and AI-driven answering solutions—will coexist, each serving unique user requirements
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