(Yicai) Aug. 21 -- Online education companies in China have started implementing artificial intelligence technology to diversify their business, with NetEase's subsidiary Youdao launching several new translation products based on its Ziyue large language model.

Youdao has released an AI dictionary pen that can answer any questions and an audio and video translation platform that can provide a one-stop solution for the entire workflow of "transcription, recognition, translation, and dubbing," according to the company.

Youdao's revenue from non-education businesses is growing rapidly thanks to AI, with income from its online marketing services jumping 24 percent to a record high of CNY630 million (USD87.8 million) last quarter from a year earlier, according to the company's latest earnings report.

The rapid growth of cross-border live e-commerce, the overseas expansion of Chinese short dramas, and other similar businesses has generate significant demand for audio and video translators, Zhang Yi, head of Youdao's smart application division, told Yicai, "The size of overseas e-commerce and short drama markets was likely around CNY10 billion (USD1.4 billion), but it is expected to quickly reach CNY100 billion.

"Multi-Channel Networks have many requirements when translating livestreaming e-commerce videos for overseas markets, including meeting regulatory, cultural, and originality needs," Zhang said. "Our product roadmap includes plans to enrich and address these specific scenarios."

Integrating AI models into hardware has become a strategic direction for major education companies, with many launching new products in the first half of this year.

AI in education is accelerating its shift from "proactive learning assistance" to becoming a "virtual teacher," with its thinking capabilities nearing those of human tutors, Zhou Feng, chief executive of Youdao, said at an earnings call yesterday. The educational smart hardware market will likely top CNY34 billion this year, Zhou added.

Editor: Martin Kadiev