(Yicai Global) Nov. 13 -- China's AI+ learning sector is poised for an era of mergers and acquisitions and big investment, according to a new report from London-based consultancy Deloitte.

Though China was a late-comer to the field of artificial intelligence-based education, it has won more investment than the rest of the word due to unique advantages in application and implementation, online news outlet The Paper reported, citing the Global Development of AI-based Education report that Deloitte published yesterday.

This shows that China is becoming one of the most popular places on Earth for AI education investment, the report said.

Deloitte pointed out that investment in segments of AI-based learning continues to diverge. Kindergarten through 12th grade, or K12, investment has shifted into a mature phase, while that in foreign language training is witnessing rapid expansion, and quality-oriented education is becoming a 'blue sea' of investment.

But AI-based education businesses have not yet penetrated technologies and the sector, which is still in the development stage, the report added.

Deloitte also noted that between 2004 and 2018, a number of globally renowned AI+ education startups were acquired by major international education groups and the trend peaked last year. The investment and fund-raising trend led by leading AI+ education nations will also have predictive influence on the future development of AI-based learning in China, it said.

China's education sector may also see mergers and acquisitions targeting firms in specific segments while continuously focusing more on investment, just like European and US education behemoths, as competition for Chinese AI tech in the field gradually enters the 'red sea,' the report said.