Evelyn Wu: From Entrepreneur to Scholar, Leading AI in Education

The promise of education is too often overshadowed by gaps in access, outdated systems, and the struggle to keep pace with rapid technological change. While artificial intelligence is reshaping industries worldwide, its role in education remains uneven—brimming with potential but weighed down by pressing questions of equity, ethics, and effectiveness.

Evelyn Wu (also known in academic publications as Yi Wu) has stepped into this challenge with a rare blend of entrepreneurial grit, scholarly depth, and global perspective. Already recognized through prestigious honors such as the Education Pioneers Fellowship, a Chicago Public Schools Research Grant, and a nomination for the AAC&U Future Leaders Award, she has quickly earned a reputation as a rising voice in the field. 

From pioneering adaptive learning platforms that boosted student outcomes by more than 30% to advising international organizations on AI ethics and policy, Wu is not just watching the future of education unfold—she is helping to design it. Her mission is clear: to harness the power of technology to make learning more personalized, more inclusive, and more human.

We are excited to welcome Evelyn Wu for this exclusive interview, where she shares her story, her groundbreaking work, and her vision to inspire and educate our readers.

Silicon Valley Times: Evelyn, your story spans continents and disciplines—from law in China to education and AI in the United States. Can you tell us about the personal journey that led you to this unique intersection of technology and education?

Evelyn Wu: My path has certainly been unconventional. I started out as a top law graduate in China and went on to build companies in adult education, vocational training, and K–12 science and technology. By my late twenties, I had raised five rounds of funding and overseen ventures valued at more than $1.5 billion. But what really shifted my direction was investing in AI education startups. That experience convinced me that artificial intelligence could transform how people learn. It pushed me to the U.S. to study policy analysis and data science at UC Berkeley, where I combined education with technology and global perspectives. Each stage of my journey—engineering, law, entrepreneurship, and now education research—has prepared me to think holistically about how AI can shape the future of learning.

Silicon Valley Times: You’ve been called a “pioneering voice” in AI and education. How do you see AI changing the classroom experience in the next decade?

Evelyn Wu: I believe AI will become an assistant—not a replacement—for teachers. Imagine AI handling administrative tasks, personalizing lesson plans, and giving students real-time feedback. This frees teachers to do what they do best: mentor, inspire, and connect with students. My research has shown concrete results—like a 35% boost in language learning outcomes and a 60% increase in engagement when AI-driven tools are implemented well. But it’s not just about efficiency. Done responsibly, AI can democratize education, offering students in underserved communities access to the same quality of resources as those in wealthier districts.

Silicon Valley Times: You often emphasize responsibility when it comes to technology. Why is ethics such a central part of your work in AI?

Evelyn Wu: Because education is fundamentally about trust. AI has incredible potential, but it also carries risks—bias, privacy concerns, inequality. During my fellowship at the Institute of East Asian Studies and my policy work with UNESCO, I studied these issues deeply. We must ensure AI tools are transparent, equitable, and inclusive. An AI system that works in one country may fail in another if it doesn’t account for cultural and linguistic diversity. For me, innovation without ethics is incomplete. The real challenge is not just making AI smarter, but making it fairer.

Silicon Valley Times: Your research often compares the U.S. and China in the AI and education race. What insights have you gained about the future of global education?

Evelyn Wu: Both countries have strengths worth learning from. China’s massive EdTech implementations show the power of scale, while the U.S. emphasizes critical thinking and creativity. Instead of asking who will win the race, I ask: How can both systems learn from each other? My forthcoming book, Navigating the AI Education Race: Will the U.S. or China Lead the Future?, explores this in depth. Having lived and worked in both systems, I see myself as a bridge. Comparative education is vital because the challenges we face—like preparing students for Gen AI and global economies—require international collaboration, not competition.

Silicon Valley Times: You’ve earned impressive honors—fellowships, grants, and conference invitations. Which recognition has meant the most to you personally?

Evelyn Wu: Being invited to present at the CIES conference was very meaningful because it signaled that my research resonates globally. But honestly, what stays with me most are the small victories—seeing a student light up because a personalized learning tool worked for them, or mentoring young women in Shanghai through the scholarship program I founded. Awards and grants are affirmations, but the human impact is what fuels me.

Silicon Valley Times: With such a fast-paced career, what’s your vision for the future of learning?

Evelyn Wu: I see a future where AI helps level the playing field. Every student—regardless of where they live—should have access to personalized, high-quality education. Technology can connect learners with resources far beyond their immediate environment. But I also envision a deeply human future, where empathy, culture, and mentorship remain central. AI will provide the tools, but people will provide the meaning. Education should always be about nurturing human potential, not replacing it.

Silicon Valley Times: And finally, what advice would you give to young professionals who want to shape the future of education and technology?

Evelyn Wu: Stay curious and step outside your silo. The most impactful innovations happen at the intersections of disciplines. Work with educators, policymakers, and technologists, and never lose sight of the learner’s needs. Collaboration, empathy, and purpose are the ingredients that will make AI in education not just powerful, but transformative.