Youdao, a subsidiary of NetEase, recently announced a major strategic adjustment, officially repositioning its brand from "a leading educational technology company" to "a learning and advertising AI application service provider." This change marks the elevation of the advertising business to a core strategic position. According to the latest data, its net revenue from online marketing services in 2025 grew by 28.5% year-on-year, for the first time surpassing traditional business and becoming the company's largest source of income.

In terms of product development, Youdao has recently launched a series of AI-based high-end products. Among them, the "AI Q&A Pen," designed to solve learning difficulties, won the "EdTech Hardware Solution Award" at the 2026 TheEdTechAwards due to its technological innovation. At the same time, the company also launched a personal assistant called "LobsterAI" and an AI knowledge base called "Youdao Bao Ku" to help build an intelligent knowledge system. In addition, its flagship app "Youdao Translate" has also undergone functional upgrades, with the new earpiece simultaneous interpretation function further optimizing the real-time experience of cross-language communication.

In addition to commercial expansion and technological iteration, Youdao is also making efforts in the field of social responsibility. Through cooperation with the National Library Foundation, the company has launched the "Promotion Plan for Youth Reading Services" public welfare project. As the first implementation measure of this plan, Youdao has donated 400 AI dictionary pens to grassroots schools, aiming to use artificial intelligence technology to narrow the gap in educational resources and improve the reading and learning efficiency of grassroots teenagers.

This strategic reshaping not only reflects Youdao's transformation from an educational tool to a comprehensive AI application service, but also demonstrates its new exploration in combining AI commercialization with social public welfare.