In early 2026, Chen Xiangdong, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Gaotu Techedu Inc., sat for an exclusive interview in his office at Beijing's Zhongguancun Software Park. His 38-year career in education lends him a calm and assured presence. Rather than focusing on achievements, he began with a simple conviction: "Small changes bring small opportunities, big changes bring big opportunities; no change means no opportunities." This philosophy not only reflects Gaotu Techedu Inc.'s transformation over the past five years but also encapsulates his profound insight into the future of the education sector for the next decade.

From a focus on "online large-class tutoring" to building a "diverse ecosystem," Gaotu Techedu Inc. has undergone a significant metamorphosis over five years. Half a decade ago, the company centered its business on live-streamed large-class courses. At that time, its "star teachers + live streaming" model led industry trends and offered countless families and students access to high-quality educational resources.

However, with shifting policies and the evolving times, a single business model became unsustainable. Chen Xiangdong candidly stated, "Today, over 70% of Gaotu Techedu Inc.'s business has been built through innovation in the past five years." The company has now moved beyond traditional K-12 academic tutoring, forming a comprehensive educational ecosystem that includes AI education, mental health support, career development for university students, study-abroad services, and literacy courses for younger students—such as programming, basketball, and critical thinking training. This shift was not a passive reaction but a strategic choice to actively embrace a "period of great transformation unseen in a century."

"The education of a child is an investment in a family's future," Chen Xiangdong remarked. "Currently, China remains committed to a higher level of openness. High-quality development must be supported by high-quality talent. All of Gaotu Techedu Inc.'s transformations revolve around this core principle."

In recent years, the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, with technologies like ChatGPT and large language models, has impacted all industries. The education sector faces pressing questions: Can AI replace teachers? Is it acceptable for students to use AI for homework? Could technology widen educational inequality? Addressing these hot-button issues, Chen Xiangdong provided clear and thoughtful answers. He believes AI is indeed reshaping how knowledge is imparted. "In the next year or two, AI's intelligence will far surpass that of the average person," he noted. However, the core of education has never been solely about "teaching" but more importantly about "nurturing." "'Teaching' involves the transmission of knowledge, while 'nurturing' involves character building. AI can lecture on Confucius or Freud, but it cannot convey love, warmth, or empathy."

Consequently, Gaotu Techedu Inc. has adopted an "All with AI" strategy, always prioritizing the student. For instance, its newly launched "Gaotu AI English" product integrates years of accumulated teaching data with AI algorithms, yet it still features real teachers providing emotional support and personalized guidance. "We are not using AI to replace teachers," Chen explained, "but to empower teachers to better serve students through AI." More encouragingly, he pointed out that AI is becoming a powerful tool to bridge the urban-rural education gap. "During the PC internet era, children in rural areas could access content from cities; in the mobile internet era, they gained smartphones; today, AI makes high-quality educational resources readily accessible to them." He recalled his original motivation for starting the company in 2014: "How wonderful it would be if children in remote villages could listen to the same star teachers as those in Beijing!" Today, that dream is being rapidly realized through AI.

As a father of two, Chen Xiangdong understands the anxieties that parents feel about education. However, he stated bluntly, "When there are problems with a child, it is usually the parents' issue." In his view, anxiety stems from systemic factors like academic pressure, uncertain job prospects, and uneven regional resources. But if parents transfer their anxiety to their children, it will only be counterproductive. He specifically mentioned the recent debate around "canceling final exams for first and second graders," calling it "a positive move. The early years should focus on igniting interest, developing habits, and shaping character."

Chen Xiangdong emphasized that "love" should be the consistent thread running through family education. "Many parents complain about their children spending too much time on phones while doing the same themselves. Children play games because the real world lacks emotional outlets." He urged parents to drop authoritative postures and establish equal dialogue with their children: "You need to tell your child that it's okay to express discomfort, pain, or even criticism towards their parents." He even suggested that parents apologize to their children: "I'm sorry, I didn't do well in this aspect." Such humility, he believes, is a true educational force. He also challenged the traditional saying "failure is the mother of success," proposing instead that "small victories are the mother of success." "Continuously affirming a child's minor achievements builds a flywheel of self-confidence. Education today can no longer rely on strict discipline and suppression."

Regarding the national push for cultivating talent in STEM fields alongside the emphasis on "New Liberal Arts," Chen Xiangdong believes the distinction between arts and sciences is blurring. "Pure liberal arts or pure science and engineering will face challenges in today's great transformation." At Gaotu Techedu Inc., recruitment does not simply differentiate between arts and science backgrounds but prioritizes "structured thinking," "systematic reasoning ability," and "profound cultural literacy." "Future liberal arts students must understand AI, learn logic, and master engineering thinking; science and engineering students also need humanistic concern and philosophical reflection." He praised reforms in Chinese higher education promoting general education: "Not declaring a major until the third year, after broadly exploring both arts and sciences in the first two years, aligns better with human growth patterns." In his view, the ultimate goal of education is to cultivate complete individuals "with both compassion and problem-solving abilities."

In an era dominated by fragmented reading, Chen Xiangdong is an unabashed advocate for deep reading. "Scrolling through short videos is something an 80-year-old grandmother can do, but reading a classic requires focus, patience, and thought." He admitted that he reads not out of "love" for it, but because the "returns are higher," whether in terms of spiritual joy or cognitive enhancement. To break free from the information cocoons created by algorithms, he prescribes five remedies: reading books, attending lectures, learning from masters, traveling extensively, and collaboratively solving problems in practice. "Read ten thousand books, travel ten thousand miles, and be guided by a master. Only then can one construct a three-dimensional knowledge system."

Looking toward 2035, Chen Xiangdong embodies a long-term perspective. "What I'm thinking about now isn't 2026—those plans were finalized two or three years ago. What I truly care about is what kind of talent society will need in 5, 10, or even 15 years." He did the math: today's primary school students will enter society in over a decade. By then, AI will be deeply integrated into daily life, and the global landscape will be more complex. Education must plan ahead, return to its essence, and focus on nurturing individuals capable of loving, thinking, and creating.

"Having been a teacher for 38 years, the starting point I return to every day is the look in a student's eyes and the anxiety of a parent," he said. "What Gaotu Techedu Inc. must do is diligently design excellent products, genuinely enhance teaching and services, and allow love to flow between students, parents, and society." Speaking about the mission of "teaching and nurturing" and "fostering virtue," he added earnestly, "Superficially, we are helping others cross the river, but in reality, we are crossing it ourselves. By helping others grow, we ourselves gain joy, energy, and the meaning of life."

From a rural teacher to a leader in educational technology, Chen Xiangdong has never lost his original passion for education. In an era of rapid AI advancement, he embraces technological change while坚守ing to human warmth. During industry fluctuations, he has led Gaotu Techedu Inc. through a remarkable transformation, always keeping "student-centered" as the core of the company's DNA. As he said, "With five thousand years of Chinese civilization, we are fortunate to devote decades of our lives to educational reform—what a privilege." This privilege belongs not only to him but also to the countless students and families whose lives have been changed by Gaotu Techedu Inc. And in the future, this exploration of education, technology, and humanity will undoubtedly continue.