In this episode, Dr. Joleen Liang, Co-Founder of Squirrel Ai and CEO of SAI North America, shares how the Shanghai-based edtech went from near-collapse to a global relaunch. From losing almost all revenue to paying off every dollar of debt within two years, hers is a story of persistence, community, and the power of adaptive AI to keep learning alive.
Hosted by Miro Lu, this conversation dives deep into what it takes to rebuild under pressure, from redefining “addiction” in education to leading a company as its only female executive.
🔍 Highlights & Key Moments
11:07 - Turning “bad kids” into confident learners
14:49 - Redefining “addicted”: the power of focused learning
17:09 - Rising from the ashes after China’s 2021 crackdown
18:42 - When no one knew AI: winning over parents & teachers
Brought To You By:
Perspective Media Studios - From broadcast to branded storytelling across Asia.
Asia Tech Lens - Independent insights at the intersection of tech, policy & society.
💡What You’ll Hear About
Rising from the ashes: how Squirrel Ai paid off ¥900 million in debt after China’s tutoring ban.
Scaling smart: 3,000+ centers built through a parent-franchise model and why it worked.
Beyond LLMs: what a Large Adaptive Model is and why it beats generative AI in education.
Going global: localizing adaptive learning for the U.S. and Southeast Asia.
Data over intuition: why personalized, adaptive learning outperforms teacher-led instruction.
Leadership under fire: Joleen’s lessons on crisis, trust, and gender balance in tech.
⏱️ In This Episode
0:00 – Meet Squirrel Ai: China’s Edtech Disruptor
01:31 – Joleen Liang’s Student Days & Origin Story
03:27 – Joining Squirrel Ai & the Leap into AI Education
06:29 – Believing in Co-Founder Derek Li’s Vision
07:48 – Why “Squirrel” Ai and what it symbolizes
08:38 – Scaling Up Through Franchise Power
14:49 – The “Addicted” Effect: Kids, AI & Learning
16:48 – China’s Regulatory Earthquake & the Pivot
25:33 – Going Global: Cracking the U.S. Market
30:55 – Standing Out in a Crowded Edtech Arena
33:07 – Leadership, Teamwork & Self-Reliance
42:02 – Choose the Right Way, Even if it is the Hard Way!
📚 References
Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China
Southeast Asia Education Market Overview
Chinese Phrases
学霸 (Xúe Bà)
Refers to someone who is academically talented, studious and gets excellent grades in exams.
双减 (shuāng jiǎn)
Policy introduced in 2021 banning after-school tutoring to reduce pressure on primary and secondary school students.
