This summer, AI study tours have become a popular choice for many families, yet some institutions are promoting exaggerated claims such as “start a company in six days” or “launch your entrepreneurial journey at the age of seven,” with fees often exceeding 10,000 yuan. Experts point out that short-term study tour programs cannot systematically teach programming or algorithms; the real value lies in sparking curiosity and broadening horizons, not in selling the illusion of producing child prodigies overnight. If the experience ends with only group photos and certificates, the educational value of early exposure to AI is reduced to little more than a performance.
Quality AI study tours should feature thoughtfully designed courses that are both informative and engaging, encouraging students to ask “why” and understand the limits of technology, rather than relying on templates and tools to create polished but superficial results. Industry voices call for an end to flashy marketing and a focus on substantive content, while parents are advised to stay rational and avoid falling for “quick-success” hype. Only when the market returns to rationality can AI study tours truly serve their original purpose of promoting science education and cultivating critical thinking.
