Revolutionizing AI for Beter Learning Outcomes: Zero Equilibrium View on an African (Nigerian) Strategy

By Chinedu Okoye 

Summary:

- The education system is undergoing a gradual change, and more rapidly in China, as AOnmodels are being integrated into the learning process.

- This has led Derek Li, of Squirrel, to bet everything including his children's schooling on AI. Adaptive artificial intelligence systems are being used to enhance human productivity and learning.

- Short-term stetides made are encouraging and I've an indication of what the future may hold with regards artificial intelligence. 

- Wider acceptance is expected overtime, and developing countries especially in Africa have a lot to do to catch up with modern realities and sogofocant advancement in peeking processes.

- Counties like Nigeria which fall into that category must move as quickly as possible to [gradually] close the gap.

The Education Evolution:

“... in Shanghai, dozens of Chinese students hunch over tablet screens, engrossed in English, math and physics lessons. Algorithms track every keystroke, and the seconds spent pondering each question. A pair of teaching assistants linger quietly in the background, intervening only when necessary."

This enables them get tailored and deep tutoring and the “adaptive software powered by artificial intelligence ... [is] able to pinpoint knowledge gaps, measure progress and adjust lessons on the fly.”

Li Betting on AI:

Derek Li, the 47-year-old founder of Chinese ed-tech company Squirrel Ai Learning, told Bloomberg that “this is the future of education”

It was reported that he also “withdrew his own 14-year-old twin sons from a prestigious private school in Shanghai in January so they could be home-schooled using his company’s platform”

[This doesn't just speak commitment, it screams conviction. A scientistist has to be pretty confident to test out a new drug on himself rather than a lab rat]

China is not Alone:

Around the world the report says, theres and increasing AI adaptation into education. With companies like OpenAI and Google partnering with educational institutions.

(Excerpt from Bloomberg Article)

Squirrels Modest but Significant Strides:

Squirrel however is “one of China’s best-known adaptive learning brands, with over 3,000 centers run by franchisees across the country and 1.2 million students subscribing to its content”.

And also the lapse states that last year it broke the Guinness World Record for the largest online maths lesson where over 112.7k students logged in in 24 hours.

Conviction meets Possible Challenges:

His motivation for founding Squirrel Ai as far back as 2014, was that he “believed that technology could standardize such excellence and make it accessible to everyone”

He also comes from an academic background having parents in the field. And is an experienced educationist, per the report. (See Excerpt from the Bloomberg Paper below)

However, it was also stated that Li , in many ways is taking on a gamble as regulatory heavy China creates fears of certain threats exist like regulatory changes, that could impact its ability to scale from blocked acceptance.

ZE Remarks:

Even if there's a long way to go in the way of penetration, the company have short-term strides thus far. And this only highlights the validity and almost inevitable emergence of a wide spread integration.

On this note it is worthwhile to point that, just like everything else regarding the incorporation of technology to goods production or services delivery, countries that are slow to adapt with experience a further gap in global on-demand skills gap compared to countries that are quicker to adapt —e.g.,. US and China for starters and subsequently Europe, UK, Japan, Australia, Canada, etc.

This therefore presents a challenge and an opportunity to lesser developed countries to at least begin making strides, it also provides opportunities for the private sector in Africa to tap into this potential market.

However, the private sector can tap into the potential market, only if the public sector first lays the groundwork — e.g., policy frameworks, infrastructure, and incentives — that allow such innovation to scale.

Staged Approach For Nigeria:

Nigeria’s education system, like much of Sub-Saharan Africa, has lagged in digital transformation, and so a phased in approach is needed. One that gradually incorporates technology with educating at all levels.

 - The first step is not a leap into AI, but the basic digitalization of schools; equipping classrooms, teachers, and students with technology literacy.

 - Aware of the fiscal constraints, this process should be staged, and powered by both innovative policies to create both pubic financing and incentives for private sector adaptation. Only then can AI tutoring platforms thrive and deliver their promise of personalized, scalable learning.

Quote Reference Link 🖇️:

  https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2025-09-18/ai-in-schools-a-chinese-entrepreneur-is-betting-on-algorithms-as-teachers