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Dyslexic Reading App to Expand to U.S., Wins OpenAI Prize

KOBI, a new reading app for dyslexic learners from Slovenian ed tech company Hopalai, is the winner of the inaugural OpenAI Learning Impact Prize. Part of the Tools Competition, an ed tech funding opportunity administered by The Learning Agency and Georgia State University, the OpenAI Learning Impact Prize recognizes teams using the power of AI to accelerate educational progress, particularly in underserved communities. KOBI was also one of 14 winners in the Tools Competition's Accelerating Learning track.

The KOBI app offers personalized reading sessions to help with fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary, adapted to a learner's individual pace and progress. The company will leverage the Open AI award (including $100,000 in funding, $25,000 in OpenAI API credits, and technical guidance from OpenAI engineers) as well as Tools Competition funding to develop advanced interactive features while maintaining a child-safe user experience, according to a news announcement.

Hopalai plans to expand KOBI to the U.S. market in October 2024

"We are honored to receive this recognition from The Tools Competition and OpenAI," said Ursula Lavrencic, co-founder and CEO of Hopalai, in a statement. "Our mission with KOBI is to transform the reading practice for children who struggle, but our solution works great for all the kids learning to read."

"KOBI has extensive experience leveraging AI to improve educational resources for people with disabilities and we are thrilled to recognize its innovative approach to support learners with dyslexia," commented Anna Makanju, VP of Global Affairs at OpenAI. "We look forward to seeing how KOBI's AI-powered tools can help children in the US achieve their potential."

For more information, visit the KOBI site.

About the Author

Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

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