Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Archives

A New Era for Literacy, Powered by AI

Michael Platt, Director of the Wharton Neuroscience Initiative, Jessamy Almquist, Sam Whitaker,
Melina Uncapher, Dr. Melina Uncapher is the *founder and CEO of SETA-ED* and Alexandria Chalonec, *Director of Impact at The Writing Revolution*

The University of Pennsylvania recently hosted the StudyFetch Enduring Literacy Symposium, a forward-thinking gathering that brought together some of the brightest minds in learning sciences, technology, and education policy. The focus: how artificial intelligence is reshaping literacy—and how innovation can ensure that no student gets left behind.

Students at U of Penn
Ethan Pickup, and Makhi Joseph

Meghan Brenneman, Ed.D., PMP and Jessamy Almquist is *senior manager at Learning Commons*

At the center of the event was StudyFetch’s debut of its new AI-powered literacy platform, a zero-cost tool designed to make high-quality reading support available to every student and teacher in America. The platform uses advanced AI models to create personalized, level-appropriate literacy experiences, adapting in real time to each learner’s needs.

The event wasn’t just about ideas—it was about action. Members of the StudyFetch development team joined live via remote connection to demonstrate how the platform works and answer questions from educators and researchers. Their goal is clear: to transform how students engage with reading comprehension and to empower teachers with actionable data and tools that support individualized learning paths.

Sam Whitaker, Michael Platt, and Melina Uncapher

Also in attendance were representatives from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, whose foundational Evaluator Framework helps power the platform’s ability to assess and adjust to students’ reading levels. Together, these innovations create an ecosystem that is smart, scalable, and equitable—bringing personalized literacy education to classrooms across the nation.

Michele Iapicco, Allison Brady, and Kim Douglas

In an era when AI is often discussed in terms of potential risks, the StudyFetch Enduring Literacy Symposium stood out as a celebration of AI’s promise to serve humanity—specifically, to open doors of opportunity for millions of young readers.

Thanks to Andre Flewellen for photographing this very interesting event.