Reading levels in the United States fell to historic lows during the pandemic. Now, parents, teachers, and tech companies are testing AI literacy tools in schools to help solve the crisis. Supporters hope artificial intelligence can give students personalized feedback, while critics warn it should not replace human guidance.
Across the country, schools are adopting AI-powered tutors that listen as children read, correct mistakes in real time, and adjust lessons to individual reading levels.
Denver Public Schools, which oversees nearly 200 schools, partnered with Amira Learning in January. Thousands of elementary students now use the platform. “Students are just reading to AI, and they think it’s fun because they’re getting feedback,” said Jennifer Begley, the district’s humanities director. She added that the technology provides individualized support that teachers cannot scale alone.
The program also works in English and Spanish, making it valuable in Denver, where a third of students speak Spanish at home. According to Amira CEO Mark Angel, about four million US students now have access to its software.
Other organizations are joining the trend. In Texas, the Boys and Girls Club of the Permian Basin uses Edsoma, another AI-powered program, to assess reading levels and provide real-time corrections. Director Andra Jones said the tool helps families who lack time to read with children or whose first language is not English.
Experts caution that AI alone cannot fix America’s reading crisis. Harvard’s Ying Xu found that AI reading assistants can provide benefits similar to reading with an adult, but she stressed they cannot replace parents or teachers. “That lap time is key,” she said.
Susan Neuman, a professor at NYU, uses AI to tailor reading passages for students by gradually adding complexity. However, she warns that schools must align AI lessons with classroom curricula to avoid confusing students with two learning tracks.
While AI literacy tools in schools show promise, concerns remain. Parents worry about increased screen time and data privacy. Last year, New York schools canceled a contract with an AI program after officials flagged privacy issues.
Some educators also fear that heavy reliance on AI could deepen inequality. “In ten years, poor kids may only have AI tutors while wealthy kids still learn with teachers,” warned Alex Kotran, CEO of AiEdu.
Principals like Jordan Caldwell in Pennsylvania stress balance. Her school is exploring AI tools but still prioritizes books and libraries. “We don’t want to overload them with technology,” she said.
The rise of AI literacy tools in schools reflects both the urgency and the uncertainty around America’s reading crisis. These tools can personalize learning and support teachers, but they cannot replace human interaction. Finding the right balance will determine whether artificial intelligence becomes a real solution or just another experiment in education reform.
