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eSelf, an innovative startup specializing in conversational AI that simulates natural dialogues, has announced a partnership with the Center for Educational Technology (CET) in Israel. This collaboration is aimed at providing students around the globe with private AI tutors.
CET holds the distinction of being Israel’s leading K-12 textbook publisher, with a strong presence across various subjects and grade levels. A significant aspect of this initiative involves a pilot program that will have Harvard University acting as an academic adviser, helping to establish the educational framework and assessing its overall impact. This marks a groundbreaking step for Israel as it becomes the first nation worldwide to implement AI-driven tutoring on a national scale. The initial phase is set to begin in May with 10,000 students, who will participate in A/B testing during that month.
Supporting this initiative is a pivotal study referred to as “The Two Sigma Problem,” which indicated that students receiving personalized one-on-one tutoring performed significantly better than their counterparts in conventional classrooms, effectively transforming those performing at average levels into high achievers.
Amid current challenges in education, with student test scores reaching unprecedented lows and a growing teacher shortage, the U.S. Department of Education has highlighted the potential of AI tutoring systems. These systems could provide scalable personalized education and improve access to effective tutoring for all students, addressing a critical need in the educational landscape.
The collaboration between CET and eSelf will offer students a smart digital tutoring aide—an interactive avatar serving as a virtual companion within and outside classroom settings. This AI tutor will aid students in enhancing their comprehension of academic materials, facilitating independent practice, and preparing for exams. Utilizing advanced AI technology, the avatar adjusts to each student’s unique strengths and challenges, delivering tailored guidance that aligns with their individual learning styles.
According to eSelf, their technology boasts lower latency compared to the voice assistant capabilities found in ChatGPT.
At the helm of eSelf are CEO Alan Bekker and cofounder and CTO Eylon Shoshan. The company secured $4.5 million in seed funding in December 2024 and currently employs 20 individuals.
“Through our partnership with eSelf, we aim to provide every student in Israel with a dedicated AI tutor,” said Tzachi Langer, vice president of marketing and product at CET. “This initiative marks a pivotal moment in harnessing artificial intelligence for education, and we believe it will significantly redefine personalized learning for students. This collaboration is merely the beginning of making AI an accessible educational tool, ultimately fostering equity in education and empowering children in Israel to gain confidence in their academic journeys.”
Victor Pereira, a faculty member and co-chair of the teaching and teaching leadership program at Harvard University, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership’s potential. “Education is a crucial predictor of future opportunities; however, access to quality educational support remains deeply inequitable, especially now when it is most needed,” he noted. “The partnership among eSelf, CET, and Harvard signifies a transformative opportunity to help bridge socioeconomic disparities by providing each student with a virtual tutor, irrespective of their background. This exemplifies how AI should complement human educators, enhancing learning experiences and fostering independence—an essential innovation as education evolves in a fast-paced world.”
The customizable AI avatars offered by eSelf can be tailored in appearance and personality. They transcend traditional educational tools by generating dynamic images and videos that accompany the lessons, providing customized visual explanations relevant to classroom discussions while also being responsive to students’ inquiries—adapting to individual learning paces and improving educational outcomes over time.
In pursuit of personalizing the learning experience further, these avatars are multilingual, enabling students to engage in their preferred language with rapid response times. This individualized tutoring approach aims to create a more engaging and effective educational experience. The pilot program will commence with Hebrew language instruction before expanding to provide all K-12 students across Israel with an AI-powered learning companion in various subjects.
“eSelf is setting a historical precedent as the first AI tutoring initiative to be implemented at a national level,” stated Alan Bekker, CEO of eSelf. “It is a privilege to lead an effort that demonstrates the positive potential of AI in education—leveling the playing field and supporting students when the global education system faces significant pressures. We appreciate CET’s collaboration and Harvard’s contribution to ensuring that this initiative is based on solid evidence and meaningful impact. Together, we are establishing new standards for what is achievable in education.”
CET, also known as Matach, is recognized as Israel’s foremost educational publisher, delivering learning resources and digital solutions to millions of students throughout the country.
The operational costs associated with this initiative are notable due to the complexity of the visual generation engine, as it diverges from standard large language models. The company plans to implement a subscription model, with anticipated costs around $10–$20 per month for students. A broader rollout is scheduled for September 25, encompassing a diverse range of subjects including mathematics, language arts, and computer science.
Source
venturebeat.com