Measuring reading comprehension is hard. Can AI and adaptive tools help?

Adaptive reading software adjusts the level of difficulty for students based on what they are mastering, advancing them to higher levels or pushing them back to more basic instruction based on how well they are performing. — Image by pikisuperstar on Freepik

Artificial intelligence might be able to drive cars, treat disease, and train your front door to recognise your face. But can it crack the toughest nut in literacy: Helping kids comprehend what they read?

AI is evolving to meet reading instruction and assessment needs, some experts say. For instance, some believe it won't be long before tools that use AI's natural language processing capabilities to measure skills like phonemic awareness are commonplace in schools. Intelligent tutors that can coach students to demonstrate in writing an understanding of a text they've read are already emerging.