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].

Featured

  • AI toolbox containing a wrench, document icon, gears, and a network symbol

    Common Sense Media Releases Free AI Toolkit, AI Readiness & Implementation Guides

    Common Sense Media has developed an AI Toolkit for School Districts, available to educators free of charge, that provides guidelines and resources for implementing AI in education.

  • elementary school building with children outside, overlaid by a glowing data network and transparent graphs

    Toward a Holistic Approach to Data-Informed Decision-Making in Education

    With increasing access to data and powerful analytic tools, the temptation to reduce educational outcomes to mere numbers is strong. However, educational leadership demands a more holistic and thoughtful approach.

  • three silhouetted education technology leaders with thought bubbles containing AI-related icons

    Ed Tech Leaders Rank Generative AI as Top Tech Priority

    In a recent CoSN survey, an overwhelming majority of ed tech leaders (94%) said they see AI as having a positive impact on education. Respondents ranked generative AI as their top tech priority, with 80% reporting their districts have gen AI initiatives underway, or plan to in the current school year.

  • AI-powered individual working calmly on one side and a burnt-out person slumped over a laptop on the other

    AI's Productivity Gains Come at a Cost

    A recent academic study found that as companies adopt AI tools, they're not just streamlining workflows — they're piling on new demands. Researchers determined that "AI technostress" is driving burnout and disrupting personal lives, even as organizations hail productivity gains.