Artificial Intelligence Video

Reading Is Hard to Teach. Can AI Help?

By Alyson Klein & Yi-Jo Shen — March 27, 2026 1 min read
  • Save to favorites
  • Print

Artificial intelligence might be able to drive cars, treat diseases, and train your front door to recognize your face. But can it help kids learn how to read?

The answer from some experts is that it won’t be long before AI tools for reading instruction are commonplace in schools.

But those predictions come with a big caveat: Relying too heavily on AI could be counterproductive.

Coverage of education technology is supported in part by a grant from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, at www.chanzuckerberg.com. Education Week retains sole editorial control over the content of this coverage.

Events

Jobs Regional K-12 Virtual Career Fair: DMV
Find teaching jobs and K-12 education jubs at the EdWeek Top School Jobs virtual career fair.
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
School Climate & Safety Webinar
Cardiac Emergency Response Plans: What Schools Need Now
Sudden cardiac arrest can happen at school. Learn why CERPs matter, what’srequired, and how districts can prepare to save lives.
Content provided by American Heart Association
Teaching Profession Webinar Effective Strategies to Lift and Sustain Teacher Morale: Lessons from Texas
Learn about the state of teacher morale in Texas and strategies that could lift educators' satisfaction there and around the country.

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide — elementary, middle, high school and more.
View Jobs
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
View Jobs
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
View Jobs
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.
View Jobs

Read Next

Artificial Intelligence 'Personalized' Learning in Math Has Proved Elusive and Overhyped. Can AI Offer a Breakthrough?
Efforts to use the tech to customize lessons to students' individual interest demonstrate its potential—and the shortcomings.
10 min read
Practical math in real word uses. Polynomials.
Vanessa Solis/Education Week + iStock + Canva
Artificial Intelligence Students Will Take the Lead on Crafting a Model AI Policy for Schools
Students and superintendents from across the country will put their heads together at a three-day workshop.
4 min read
An illustration of computer keyboard keys on a red background. One key shows the letters AI and the other key shows an arrow suggesting "repeat".
DigitalVision Vectors
Artificial Intelligence Letter to the Editor A Student’s Perspective on AI in Schools
A high schooler shares what he thinks about artificial intelligence in this letter to the editor.
1 min read
Education Week opinion letters submissions
Gwen Keraval for Education Week
Artificial Intelligence Opinion We Studied How AI Shapes Teachers’ Well-Being. Here’s What We Found
Stop asking if AI will help teachers save time. Ask if it will make the job more sustainable.
David T. Marshall & Tim Pressley
4 min read
vertical collage of scales weight knowledge comparison book stack artificial intelligence, AI cyber innovation, workload balance
iStock/Getty