BrainStream Ltd

Author: Steve Alcorn

  • AI in Education: 3 Key Challenges and Practical Solutions

    AI in Education: 3 Key Challenges and Practical Solutions

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    by Chief Operating Officer Tzu-Ying (Kimberley) Chen Working at the intersection of technology and education means facing both excitement and complexity. AI has the potential to make learning more personalized, accessible, and engaging — but turning that vision into reality isn’t without challenges. Over time, three issues tend to appear again and again, and they…

  • The Limits of Blue Books: A Smarter Way Forward

    The Limits of Blue Books: A Smarter Way Forward

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    by BrainStream CEO Steve Alcorn In a recent New York Times opinion piece, Clay Shirky outlines the challenges universities face as generative AI reshapes academic work. Traditional safeguards against plagiarism no longer suffice; students can critique AI output with AI itself, and detectors remain unreliable. To preserve learning, Shirky suggests reviving older practices: in-class blue book exams,…

  • South Korea’s AI Textbook Revolution Hits a Roadblock

    South Korea’s AI Textbook Revolution Hits a Roadblock

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    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…

  • B.C.’s Tax Credit Boost: A Sign for AI-Driven Learning and Interactive Tech

    B.C.’s Tax Credit Boost: A Sign for AI-Driven Learning and Interactive Tech

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    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…

  • Scaling Smarter: The Infrastructure Cost Trap in AI EdTech

    Scaling Smarter: The Infrastructure Cost Trap in AI EdTech

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    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…

  • Study Mode is Not the Solution

    Study Mode is Not the Solution

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    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…

  • How Teens Use AI

    How Teens Use AI

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    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:…

  • The Hidden Cost of AI Shortcuts in Learning

    The Hidden Cost of AI Shortcuts in Learning

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    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…

  • Data Protection and Maintenance: Why It Matters

    Data Protection and Maintenance: Why It Matters

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    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…

  • The Impact of Colors on Learning App Design

    The Impact of Colors on Learning App Design

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    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…