Xueersi AI Learning Machines Cancel Human Tutor Feature, Replace with AI
Xueersi learning machines, marketed to parents as offering real human tutoring for up to 8,000 yuan, used pre-recorded lessons and AI interaction instead. After the complimentary service period ended, Xueersi replaced human tutors with AI that frequently misidentifies questions and provides incomplete explanations, reportedly without prior notification to consumers.
What happened
Xueersi learning machines, promoted as offering 'real human interactive tutoring', were found to rely on pre-recorded lessons with AI interaction. The AI interaction consists of students selecting answers on screen; it is not interactive tutoring.
Xueersi replaced a featured 'real human answer' service (where teachers recorded video explanations within one hour) with an AI alternative after the free trial period ended. The AI system frequently misidentifies questions, including geometric problems, and provides answers without explaining reasoning.
Reported impact
Parents reported that machines did not function as advertised. One parent who paid over 8,000 yuan reported the loss of human tutoring functionality was a breach of what sales staff described as 'first year free plus paid renewal'.
Parents stated they chose expensive models specifically for the human tutoring feature. A parent who purchased a unit in February 2025 for 4,700 yuan found the price dropped to 4,000 yuan by June, and struggled to resell it as a used device.
Index analysis
Sales materials repeatedly emphasized 'real human interaction' and 'live teaching', but documentation reveals lessons are recorded. The company's own employee confirmed all content on learning machines is recorded, not live.
The substitution of AI for human tutoring occurred without user notification. Multiple parents reported customer service acknowledged feedback but did not commit to restoring human tutor access.
Governance controls
Xueersi has not publicly disclosed that 'real human interaction' refers to pre-recorded lessons plus AI. Course updates vary by region and textbook version, leading some regions to lack current curricula.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.