Analysis of In-depth Trends and Practical Implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research in Early Childhood Education

Key Points

• The study aims to analyze trends in AI research related to early childhood education and derive practical implications for digital transition.
• Analysis of 156 domestic literature on AI in early childhood education published from 2016 to November 2025.
• Classification of AI research into five stages: exploration, activation, explosion, sophistication, and field establishment.
• Evaluation of trends in teacher competencies, curriculum policies, and the practical application of specific AI technologies.
• Research from 2024-2025 accounted for over 60% of total publications, indicating rapid growth.
• Discussions primarily focused on teacher professionalism and institutional discourse, with limited exploration of AI experiences among children.
• Emphasized the importance of redefining teacher roles as facilitators of learning while highlighting risks like data privacy and algorithm bias.