China's NetDragon bets on AI to reshape global education with '3E' model

"The AI production center allows us to make content more standardized, adaptable across regions and far more cost-efficient," Liu said. "This is how we can support globalized education and make high-quality resources affordable."

NetDragon is also seeking to expand internationally through Edmodo Academy, its global education platform.

One of its first major deployments is in Thailand, where the company has co-developed an AI-based education platform. The platform, tailored to local needs, offers vocational courses in electric vehicle technology for Thai youth.

At the Beijing conference, NetDragon drew attention with demonstrations of AI-powered avatars capable of real-time dialogue using large language models, as well as AR applications developed with Chinese firm Rokid. The tools, executives said, could be used in classrooms, corporate training and digital entertainment.

"AI is not just about efficiency. It's about engagement – about creating experiences that learners want to return to," said Chen Hong, senior vice-president at NetDragon.

The company said its "AI digital humans" can take on roles ranging from teaching assistants to corporate trainers, while AR glasses could help bridge education, product marketing and immersive entertainment.