On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Rural Teachers Initiative, Jack Ma had an online meeting with teachers in remote areas.

Here, he reiterated how AI will reshape the world in the next decade, a month after he predicted the changes brought by AI would be beyond people's imagination.

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Jack Ma meets rural teachers online to mark the 10th anniversary of the Rural Teachers Initiative. Photo: SCMP

In a video speech posted on his social media account, Mr. Ma noted that the rise of AI and China's changing demographics will create new challenges for rural schools.

Earlier, at the 20th anniversary of fintech company Ant Group, Mr. Ma said: “From today's perspective, the changes brought by AI in the next 20 years will be beyond people's imagination because AI will bring a greater era.”

Since retiring, Mr. Ma has focused on education and agriculture. He has also kept a low profile in recent years after relinquishing all managerial roles at Alibaba, although he remains its largest shareholder. But he is still seen by some as the face of China’s private economy .

According to Mr. Ma, rural education has undergone great changes in the past decade. More and more young teachers are coming to teach in rural areas, and although they live in remote areas, their thinking is not backward, but even at the forefront of educational reform.

Each year, the Jack Ma Foundation Rural Teachers Initiative will select 100 teachers across the country to receive 100,000 yuan. In 2025, 2,894 teachers applied, with an average age of 39. About 98% have a college degree or higher.

Over the past 10 years, the foundation has received about 70,000 applications, visited 1,500 villages and conducted nearly 10,000 interviews. Of those selected, 97.5% are still teaching in rural areas.

In addition, the Jack Ma Foundation also operates the Rural Principals Initiative. Twenty principals are selected each year to receive 50,000 yuan to help them improve their leadership and management skills.

Mr. Ma founded the Jack Ma Foundation in December 2014, focusing on education, entrepreneurship, women leaders and environmental protection.

(According to SCMP)