TikTok-owner ByteDance eyes expansion in online education with help of AI dragon ‘tutor’
- ByteDance is best known for short video apps TikTok and Douyin, but its founder says online education is one of the main areas the company wants to expand in
- The start-up has launched two new education apps, both featuring an AI-powered interactive aid in the shape of a cartoon dragon, since last month
Since last month, the Chinese tech powerhouse has launched two apps – GuaGuaLong English, which aims to teach two-to-eight-year-olds in China English, and GuaGuaLong Mind, which focuses on teaching kindergarten age children between three and six years old mathematics.
GuaGuaLong is the name of its artificial intelligence (AI)-powered “tutor” that serves as the mascot for both apps. The character, who takes the form of a cartoon dragon, can interact with the children and guide them in their studies. For example, it can detect when users are pronouncing words incorrectly on GuaGuaLong English.
ByteDance, the world’s most valuable start-up with a valuation of US$75 billion, looks like it is betting big on the concept. Two of the company’s educational affiliates have registered more than 200 “GuaGuaLong” trademarks since 2018, from “GuaGuaLong coding” to “GuaGuaLong calligraphy,” according to China’s National Intellectual Property Administration.
The GuaGuaLong apps are only available in the China market, a ByteDance spokeswoman said, adding that the company “will continuously explore different possibilities of applying technology and innovation to education”.