by BrainStream CEO Steve Alcorn South Korea once aimed for an AI-driven education revolution, but that vision has stumbled amid controversy, politics, and skepticism. Former President Yoon Suk-yeol and Education Minister Lee Juho promised that AI-supported digital textbooks would transform classrooms, personalizing lessons in math, English, and computer science. The technology was meant to reduce…
by BrainStream Chief Marketing Officer Ya-Hui (Laura) Kao Exciting news for the interactive tech industry: on July 7, 2025, B.C. officially announced that the Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit (IDMTC) will increase from 17.5% to 25% and become permanent, effective September 1, 2025. 📄 Official announcement: B.C. Government 📊 Industry source: Creative BC This initiative aims to…
by Chief Financial Officer Chia-Hua (Phyllis) Chen AI has lowered the barrier to entry in education tech—but it’s also quietly raised the bar for sustainability. In recent months, I’ve spoken with multiple early-stage AI EdTech founders. There’s a common thread: infrastructure is treated as a technical concern, not a strategic one. That’s a mistake. The Hidden…
by BrainStream CEO Steve Alcorn As educators begin to acknowledge that AI is not going away, they are looking for ways to incorporate AI as a study tool rather than just a way to find answers. An article on Ars Technica describes a new ChatGPT feature called study mode: Study Mode isn’t a new ChatGPT…
by BrainStream CEO Steve Alcorn A new report from Common Sense Media looks at how American teens ages 13 to 17 are engaging with AI companions, based on a nationally representative survey of 1,060 teens conducted in April and May 2025. Notably, a third of teens reported using AI companions for social interaction and relationship support. Source:…
by BrainStream CEO Steve Alcorn In a provocative column from The New York Times (July 3, 2025), David Brooks highlights the growing cognitive risks of over-relying on AI tools for thinking and writing. Citing new research by M.I.T.’s Nataliya Kosmyna, Brooks explores how students who used large language models (LLMs) to generate essays retained less knowledge, showed…
by BrainStream Chief User Experience Officer Yung-Wen Cheng In BrainStream, protecting user data and maintaining database integrity are not just technical concerns—they are core responsibilities. We handle sensitive information such as student profiles, academic progress, login credentials, and sometimes even payment data. Ensuring that this information is secure, well-managed, and retained appropriately is crucial for…
by BrainStream Chief User Experience Officer Yung-Wen Cheng Color plays a powerful yet often underestimated role in BrainStream’s app design. Thoughtful application of color theory can significantly influence how students interact with and absorb information on a learning platform. When used strategically, colors can enhance focus, reduce eye strain, guide user attention, and even impact…
by BrainStream Chief User Experience Officer Yung-Wen Cheng Behind every successful learning app lies a well-structured and secure database system. For students, seamless performance, reliable data access, and personalized experiences depend heavily on how efficiently data is stored, retrieved, and transferred. Whether it’s tracking user progress, storing quiz results, or delivering adaptive content, the role…
by BrainStream Chief User Experience Officer Yung-Wen Cheng User experience (UX) design is a foundational element in the success of any educational application. For students, a well-designed UX can significantly influence their ability to stay engaged, comprehend material, and maintain motivation throughout their learning journey. When learning tools are intuitive and responsive, students can focus…
