Squirrel Ai's Joleen Liang Discusses AI's Impact on Critical Thinking at ASU+GSV Summit
The ASU+GSV Summit, a highly anticipated event hosted jointly by Arizona State University and Global Silicon Valley, recently commenced at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego, California. Bringing together over 7,000 educators, business leaders, investors, and policymakers, the summit focused on the theme 'Learning at the Speed of Light.' Notable figures such as Sal Khan, the founder of Khan Academy, and Andrew Ng, co-founder of Coursera, participated in this vibrant atmosphere designed for collaboration and innovation in education.
Among the esteemed speakers at the event was Dr. Joleen Liang, the co-founder of Squirrel Ai Learning, who addressed an influential panel alongside Kristen DiCerbo, Chief Learning Officer at Khan Academy, and Caleb Hicks, CEO of SchoolAI. The discussion revolved around a pivotal issue: "Cultivating Critical Thinking in the Age of AI Tutors." Dr. Liang initiated her talk with a powerful assertion: "AI won't replace human thought—it's a tool to ignite deeper cognition." This statement reflects her belief that AI can support educational practices rather than substitute them.
Dr. Liang underlined the capabilities of Squirrel Ai's proprietary large adaptive model (LAM), created for multimodal education. Unlike the general-purpose AI systems driven by techniques such as large language models and ChatGPT, Squirrel Ai's LAM is specifically tailored for the educational landscape. By utilizing 117 patented methodologies, including accurate knowledge decomposition and root-cause analysis, it allows for real-time tracking of students' learning processes, facilitating personalized educational experiences. This approach ensures that every student can identify their ideal learning style, thereby accelerating their journey through adaptive education.
One of the innovative features of Squirrel Ai's multimodal adaptive learning model is its ability to enhance interaction between humans and computers. This system enables students to engage through both voice and text, creating a more dynamic learning environment. For instance, when a student solves a math problem, rather than merely grading the answer provided, Squirrel Ai's system prompts them with Socratic questions such as, "Would the conclusion hold if the conditions were to change?" This strategy encourages students to think critically, refining their reasoning and reconsidering their approaches to problem-solving.
To further assist students in recognizing their hidden strengths, Squirrel Ai employs a model known as MCM (Model of Thinking, Capacity, Method). Dr. Liang passionately stated, "We're nurturing adaptable thinkers—not training machine-dependent learners—and we believe it will benefit them for life." The innovative techniques employed by Squirrel Ai garnered recognition, placing the company on the 2025 GSV 150 list, which evaluates over 2,500 companies around the globe that receive venture capital and private equity.
During this summit, the LAM model of Squirrel Ai was well-received by international educators. Michael Horn from the Harvard Graduate School of Education noted that he often references the company's adaptive tutoring system as a prime example in his courses, praising its technological evolution and consistent innovations over the past decade.
Public data reveals that Squirrel Ai allocates 30% of its annual revenue to research and development, underscoring its commitment to improving accessibility to quality education. The organization boasts a top-tier research team comprised of AI scientists and educational specialists from all corners of the globe. Collaborations with prestigious universities and research institutions further bolster their educational efforts.
As part of its expansion, Squirrel Ai has opened over 3,000 physical learning centers across China, partnering with more than 60,000 public schools, and amassing nearly 10 billion data points reflecting the learning behavior of over 24 million students. It’s clear that as AI and education continue to integrate, Squirrel Ai's adaptive learning system positions itself as a significant contributor to educational reform. Dr. Liang's message resonates strongly: AI should complement rather than replace student thinking, serving as a cognitive partner that fosters critical thought. As we move forward, the path to high-quality education will rely on continuous technological innovation paired with an unwavering dedication to preserving the human elements that cultivate original thought.