Grace Chow is redefining early education with Activbot, an innovative AI tool designed to help children master reading with ease, engagement, and inclusivity. As the platform gains momentum in the market, Grace’s vision for transforming early literacy is gradually becoming a reality, one step at a time.
As much as we may hesitate to admit it, almost everything we do in today’s world revolves around AI or machine learning. Some of us, maybe more old school than others, view this technological shift as the beginning of a downfall, thanks to the ominous predictions in iconic sci-fi films like The Terminator and The Matrix. While it is true that AI’s capabilities can feel a bit daunting, the benefits it offers are certainly powerful and hard to ignore, especially if it helps with shaping a better education for children in their formative early years.
The founder of Activbot, Grace Chow, has cracked the code on this. Let’s get to know this month’s Parenthood Personality and explore how her passion for early education, and the highly efficient AI is transforming the learning experience for kids everywhere!
Grace Chow, founder of Activbot
The Wonder Woman Behind Activbot
Grace Chow, lovingly known as Teacher Grace, grew up in Ipoh, Malaysia, in a home where creativity, resilience, and compassion shaped her outlook on life. Inspired by her father’s inventive spirit and the profound lessons in patience and empathy she gained from growing up alongside her differently-abled brother, Grace developed a passion for solving problems with her heart.
After a thriving corporate career in PR, she found her true calling in education, founding a Multiple Intelligence Brain-Based kindergarten in 2005. Her impact is so profound that many of her former students remain loyal supporters—and some now use her revolutionary tools for their own children!
Driven by her mission to tackle the reading crisis among Malaysian children, Grace harnessed the power of AI to create Activbot—a game-changing tool that makes literacy fun, inclusive, and accessible to all. Her efforts have not gone unnoticed, earning her the EduTech Asia Award for Best Use of Emergent Technology in 2019 and the prestigious Global EduTech Leadership Award in 2020. With Activbot, Grace is not just transforming the way children learn to read but is also helping to shape a brighter future for the next generation of learners.
Activbot: Learning Tailored to Every Child
By combining learning with the latest technology, Grace makes full use of AI and all the perks it brings in designing Activbot to adapt to the unique learning needs of every child as young as 0 to 2 years old, including those with neuro-divergent challenges. This AI-powered tool can track each child’s progress, identify areas where they need support, and adjust its approach to help them improve. Whether it is learning the alphabet, mastering synthetic phonics, or building vocabulary, Activbot ensures children are always engaged and never overwhelmed.
What sets Activbot apart is its ability to make learning both interactive and fun. With gamified activities, storytelling, and colourful visuals, children are motivated to learn essential reading skills enjoyably.
“When children genuinely enjoy and find fun in an activity, they naturally want to do it more. What better way to spark a love for learning from such an early age?”- Grace Chow
While Activbot harnesses AI learning, it is important to acknowledge the potential of its downsides. Some parents think there’s a risk of over-dependence on AI, which may limit a child’s ability for critical thinking and problem-solving skills in non-digital environments.
Grace, however, is mindful of these challenges. She recommends that parents adhere to the World Health Organization (WHO) Screen Time Recommendations—no screen time for children under 18 months and a maximum of one hour for those aged 2 to 5 years—ensuring a balanced approach to technology use.
Touching on the role and commitments of parents in this matter, Grace suggests, “It is important to set clear boundaries and ground rules. You can tell them the device can only be used for an hour a day—this little ‘trick’ helps them stick to healthy limits without a fuss!”
By promoting healthy limits and integrating parental involvement, Activbot encourages a learning experience that is both innovative and grounded in the well-being of every child.
Inclusivity at the Heart of Activbot
Activbot, as emphasised by Grace, is all about inclusivity. Recognising that every child learns differently, Grace ensured the platform supports the needs of neuro-divergent learners and those who might need extra guidance. For these children, Activbot provides more than just reading tools, it is a personalised learning experience that empowers children to thrive at their own pace.
“For neuro-divergent learners or children with developmental delays like dyslexia, etc, Activbot serves as more than just a device. It becomes a companion, a reliable one, at that, in their educational journey. The system offers structured, yet flexible activities that break down complex tasks into manageable steps. Features such as repetition, guided prompts, and visual cues help reinforce learning that nurtures confidence while building a strong foundation for future learning.” says Grace.
Inclusivity also extends to the role of parents in the Activbot ecosystem. As a former teacher, Grace highlights that active parental involvement is the most crucial influence on a child’s home environment.
Active parental involvement is the most crucial influence on a child’s home environment.
Parents are given tools and insights to track their children’s progress and participate in their development through guided activities and collaborative exercises. This shared effort between the platform and parents fosters stronger family bonds, ensuring children feel supported both at home and in the classroom.
Activbot’s adaptability also makes it accessible for children from various cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Its content is designed to be diverse and inclusive, accommodating multiple languages and cultural contexts to provide a rich, relatable learning experience.
A Vision for the Future
When asked about the future of Activbot, Grace Chow envisions it as a global platform revolutionising how children everywhere learn to read. With her passion for education and innovative use of AI, Grace Chow is on a mission to close literacy gaps and create opportunities for children from all walks of life. Her goal is simple: to ensure no child is left behind, regardless of their background, abilities, or location.
Grace envisions Activbot more than just a piece of technology that breaks barriers—cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic reaching underserved communities worldwide, offering children in remote areas access to also attain quality learning tools.
“Every child deserves the chance to discover the joy of reading. I truly believe that literacy is not just a skill but the medium to a brighter future filled with opportunities.”
Looking ahead, Grace also plans to expand Activbot by integrating advancements in AI and neuroscience. This includes growing its multilingual library and developing tools for older children or specific learning challenges. She also aims to partner with educators, governments, and non-profit organisations to bring Activbot into classrooms and communities worldwide.
Grace’s vision is one of hope and inclusivity—a world where every child has access to the tools and support they need to succeed. With Activbot, she is transforming early literacy and paving the way for a brighter future.
Under Grace’s leadership, Activbot is redefining early education, bridging gaps, and creating opportunities for children everywhere, regardless of their background or abilities. Her vision goes beyond teaching kids to read—it’s about giving them the confidence, curiosity, and tools to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. With Activbot leading the charge, Grace has proven that technology can be a force for good, especially when paired with a mission as powerful as empowering children through literacy.
