When Ali Bebo, the chief human resources officer, explores new ways to infuse artificial intelligence into the human resources department at education company Pearson, she and Chief Technology Officer Dave Treat frequently ask themselves if it’s appropriate for technology to automate a workflow. And just as importantly, when they shouldn’t. “What are the tasks that create a strong human connection?” asks Bebo. “We want to maintain those.” One tool that the pair deployed is a chatbot called “Cara,” whic ...

Core Insights - The edtech market is experiencing a shift towards digital learning, particularly AI-based solutions, benefiting companies like Chegg, Inc. (CHGG) and Duolingo, Inc. (DUOL) [1] Company Overview - Chegg focuses on homework help, textbook services, and tutoring, while Duolingo operates a language-learning platform, both addressing the evolving needs of students in digital education [2] Chegg Stock Analysis - Chegg is transforming its business model with Chegg Skilling, integrating Busuu and Chegg Skills, targeting the growing global skilling market valued at over $40 billion [3] - The new segments are expected to achieve 14% year-over-year growth, reaching $70 million in annual revenues by 2025 [3] - Chegg is prioritizing cash preservation, reducing capital expenditure by 60%, with 2025 capex projected at $27 million, down from $60-$65 million in 2024 [5] - Despite these efforts, Chegg faces challenges from traffic losses due to AI tools and changes in Google search, leading to subscriber attrition and weaker advertising demand [6] Duolingo Stock Analysis - Duolingo is benefiting from increased user engagement, with daily active users (DAUs) growing by 35.8% to 50.5 million and monthly active users (MAUs) increasing by 19.6% to 135.3 million year-over-year [7] - The expansion of Duolingo Max is contributing to subscriber growth, although its adoption is slower than anticipated [7] - Duolingo is diversifying its offerings beyond language learning, with chess usage surpassing math and music on iOS, indicating potential for market expansion [9] - However, user growth moderation in the U.S. and underperformance of Duolingo Max raise concerns about future monetization [10][11] Stock Performance & Valuation - Over the past six months, Chegg's stock performance has been above Duolingo's, despite both showing a declining trend [12] - Duolingo has historically traded at a premium valuation compared to Chegg, which currently trades at a discount [13][14] - Chegg's earnings estimate for 2026 indicates a 221.4% year-over-year growth, while Duolingo's estimate shows a decline of 51.6% [17][18] Investment Outlook - Chegg is undergoing a strategic reset towards the skilling market, with a discounted valuation and stable earnings estimates suggesting potential for a contained downside [20] - Duolingo, while showing strong engagement metrics, faces execution risks due to moderating user growth and a premium valuation [21] - It is suggested that investors may favor Chegg stock over Duolingo stock at this time due to the higher-risk turnaround potential and valuation support [22]

Core Viewpoint - NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited has entered into a strategic partnership with Volcengine to enhance the development of AI-generated educational resources and create a shared innovative education ecosystem [1][2]. Group 1: Partnership Details - The partnership will focus on four key areas: joint technological innovation, ecosystem resource co-creation, commercial application empowerment, and industry engagement [2]. - Volcengine will assist NetDragon in developing education-focused large language models for various applications, including teaching and content creation [2]. - Both companies will invest in computing power, algorithms, and data to develop high-quality AIGC educational resources, aiming to build an open and intelligent education content ecosystem [2]. Group 2: AI Strategy and Implementation - NetDragon has adopted a "Fully Embracing AI" strategy, establishing an "AI Content Factory" to efficiently generate AIGC content across education, entertainment, and culture [3]. - The AI Content Factory utilizes a core architecture of fragmented nodes and expert systems to create stable AIGC education content production capabilities [3]. - The company plans to expand its commercialization efforts domestically and integrate with the Open-Q ecosystem for global growth [3]. Group 3: Sector-Specific Developments - In the entertainment sector, NetDragon is focusing on AI-driven content production for its flagship IPs, which is expected to enhance profitability and create new revenue opportunities [4]. - The cultural sector investments include AIGC-driven animation series and AI/VR performances, with ongoing identification of high-potential opportunities [4]. - NetDragon aims to leverage AI computing power and vertical AIGC models to expand its enterprise ecosystem's capabilities and long-term value [4]. Group 4: Additional Collaborations - NetDragon has also partnered with Epic Games, becoming an ecosystem partner and establishing a training center for Unreal Engine in China [6]. - The collaboration with Epic Games aims to enhance the visual quality and performance of AIGC educational content [6][7]. Group 5: Company Background - NetDragon is a well-established online game developer in China, with a history of successful titles and a growing EdTech business [8]. - The company is committed to building a massive user community in the AI era through its dual-focus strategy of "AI+Gaming" and "AI+Education" [8][9].

Core Insights - Duolingo (DUOL) is recognized as a leader in language education and has established itself as a well-known consumer tech application with significant profitability and rapid growth [1] Company Overview - Duolingo has historically enjoyed a large premium due to its strong market position and financial performance [1] Investment Perspective - The article reflects a positive sentiment towards Duolingo's stock, indicating a beneficial long position in its shares [2]

Group 1 - The sell-off of Stride, Inc. (LRN) stock has exceeded 50% since its pre-Q1 peak, suggesting that the decline may be overdone based on primary research [1] - Ariel Sokol, with over twenty years of experience in corporate finance, has a background in both established companies and startups, particularly in the education sector [1] - Sokol founded Kolari Consulting, focusing on subscription and edtech businesses, and has held significant roles at Pearson in the Connections Education division [1] Group 2 - Sokol has experience as a Wall Street equity research analyst covering education, software, and media companies, indicating a strong analytical background [1] - His previous role on the board of a for-profit university adds to his expertise in the education industry [1]

Core Viewpoint - Duolingo Inc's stock is experiencing significant declines, trading near IPO levels, down nearly 73% from its peak, as investors fear generative AI will disrupt language-learning apps [1][2] Market Sentiment - The prevailing bearish sentiment assumes that AI will commoditize language learning, questioning the need for apps if chatbots can provide instant translations and grammar explanations [3] Business Model Distinction - Duolingo's value proposition lies in habit formation rather than mere information delivery; fluency cannot be achieved through prompts alone, highlighting a critical market misunderstanding [4] AI Integration - Duolingo is leveraging AI to enhance its offerings, with the "Max" tier featuring generative AI tools leading to increased user engagement and premium subscriptions, resulting in 41% year-over-year revenue growth and 11.5 million paid subscribers [5] Analyst Outlook - Analysts maintain a bullish perspective, projecting over 40% upside potential from current stock levels, with expectations of sustained growth and long-term EBITDA margins of 30-35% [6] Investment Implications - Current stock valuation suggests Duolingo is being treated as an AI casualty rather than a beneficiary, indicating a potential mispricing of the company's growth prospects if the market's fears about AI are unfounded [7]

Group 1 - The integration of AI in classrooms is transforming teaching and learning methods, as demonstrated in recent educational events in Hefei [1] - In English classes, AI technologies such as voice assessment and dynamic visualization of abstract concepts are enhancing student engagement and learning efficiency [2][3] - Experts emphasize that AI should empower rather than replace teachers, focusing on resource integration and the development of students' critical thinking and language skills [2] Group 2 - In mathematics classes, AI is being utilized to create interactive and efficient learning experiences, with teachers using data collection and personalized learning resources [3] - The ongoing exploration of "AI + education" aims to develop school-based resource libraries and integrated curricula, fostering a new classroom ecosystem where technology empowers student-led learning [3]

Core Insights - Duolingo Inc. (NASDAQ:DUOL) is recognized as one of the top 10 new stocks to buy in Ray Dalio's portfolio [1] - Following the announcement of a CFO transition, Truist Securities has reaffirmed its Buy rating and set a price target of $245 for Duolingo [1] - The company reported strong preliminary fourth-quarter results, with daily active user (DAU) growth of approximately 30% and bookings expected to be around or slightly above $335.5 million [3] Group 1 - The current CFO, Matt Skaruppa, is set to leave, with Gillian Munson taking over the role [1] - Truist Securities expressed surprise at the abrupt nature of Skaruppa's departure, particularly as it was not announced during the upcoming fourth-quarter earnings call [2] - Duolingo operates as a mobile learning platform, offering courses in 40 different languages through its app, and has a presence in the US, UK, and internationally [3]

Core Insights - Chegg, Inc. (CHGG) is transitioning its business model to a business-to-business (B2B) approach to mitigate the uncertainty in student-driven online traffic [1][4] - The core academic business is facing challenges due to the rise of generative Artificial Intelligence and changes in online search behavior, leading to a decline in traditional study platform usage [2][3] Financial Performance - In Q3 2025, total revenues fell by 42% year over year, primarily due to decreased traffic in legacy academic services and lower advertising revenues [3] - The core academic segment experienced a revenue drop of over 40% year over year, with legacy traffic declining nearly 50% [3] Strategic Shift - The company is prioritizing its B2B skilling operations, which focus on enterprise partnerships and offer better revenue visibility and lower sensitivity to traffic fluctuations [4][8] - This strategic pivot aims to stabilize performance amid the evolving digital education landscape [4] Competitive Landscape - Chegg operates in a competitive EdTech market alongside companies like Duolingo, Inc. and Udemy, Inc., which have established strong positions in language learning and professional skill development, respectively [5][6] Stock Performance - CHGG shares have decreased by 38.9% over the past six months, underperforming compared to the Zacks Internet-Software industry, the Zacks Computer and Technology sector, and the S&P 500 index [7][8] - The stock is currently trading at a forward 12-month price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of 0.33, indicating a discount compared to industry peers [10] Earnings Estimates - The earnings per share estimate for 2026 remains unchanged at 18 cents, with an expected growth of 228.6% [12] - Current earnings estimates for Q4 2025 and Q1 2026 are projected at -0.19 and 0.09, respectively, with a forecast of -0.14 for the current year and 0.18 for the next year [13]

As AI automates parts of the workforce, Emversity, an Indian workforce-training startup, is building talent pipelines for roles it sees AI can’t replace, and has raised $30 million in a new round to expand job-ready training in the world’s most populous market. The all-equity Series A round was led by Premji Invest, with participation from Lightspeed Venture Partners and Z47, the Bengaluru-based startup announced on Thursday. The funding values Emversity at around $120 million post-money, sources confirm ...