Adam Adler is a Charleston-based entrepreneur, investor and founder of Wyzly, the breakthrough “learn-to-earn” app reshaping how families navigate screen time. After two decades building and investing in sustainable development, real estate, technology and high-growth startups through The Adler Fund, Adler turned his attention to a problem every parent knows too well: battles over screen time.
The idea for Wyzly began with Adam’s daughter, Isla, who proudly serves as the company’s President, whose insight inspired the concept of earning screen time through learning. From that spark, Adler built Wyzly from the ground up, assembling a top-tier development team and transforming Isla’s idea into a dynamic platform where kids complete educational questions to earn screen time.
Wyzly’s AI-driven questions are personalized to each child’s age, grade level, school curriculum and geographic region, filling what Adler sees as the biggest gap in today’s parent-child ecosystem: educational tools that motivate rather than punish. His hands-on operational approach and long-term investment vision continue to shape Wyzly as it scales to families across the country.
Company: Wyzly
We are thrilled to have you join us today, welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview! Let’s start off with a little introduction. Tell our readers a bit about yourself and your company.
Adam Adler: I’m Adam Adler, a Charleston-based entrepreneur and investor and the founder of Wyzly. Over the past 20 years, I’ve built and invested in businesses across technology, real estate and sustainable development but Wyzly is by far the most personal project I’ve undertaken.
The idea came straight from home. Like many parents, I was caught in constant battles with my daughter over screen time. Instead of simply limiting devices or giving in to avoid conflict, we asked a simple question: what if kids could earn their screen time by learning first? That insight became the foundation for Wyzly.
Wyzly is the first learn-to-earn screen time solution. Using AI, the app tailors educational questions to a child’s age, grade level, school curriculum and geographic region, adjusting in real time as they learn. Kids unlock their favorite apps by answering questions, while parents gain visibility and control without micromanaging.
At its core, Wyzly isn’t about limiting screen use; it’s about helping families build healthier relationships with technology. We use AI to support parents, turning what used to be a source of stress into a motivating, educational experience for kids.
What specific areas of your business have been most impacted by AI, and how?
Adam Adler: AI is really at the heart of the Wyzly experience. It personalizes learning by adjusting questions in real time based on each child’s strengths, weaknesses, age, grade level, school curriculum and geographic region.
It also drives how we manage screen time. The system can prompt breaks, unlock additional time and provide insights to parents in a way that’s balanced and evidence-based. Beyond that, AI helps us understand usage patterns, identify opportunities for improvement and ensure the app remains engaging, effective and supportive for families.
How are you ensuring ethical considerations are taken into account in your use of AI?
Adam Adler: Ethics are a top priority, especially when working with children and families. Our AI is designed to foster positive learning and healthy screen habits, not manipulate behavior. All content is age-appropriate, personalized in a safe way and transparent to parents. Every decision we make is guided by the principle of supporting kids’ learning and helping parents feel confident that the technology is safe and beneficial.
What advice would you give to other CEOs looking to integrate AI into their business?
Adam Adler: Start with a clear purpose. Don’t adopt AI just because it’s trendy; focus on areas where it can genuinely improve the customer experience or solve real problems. At Wyzly, AI helps us personalize learning and manage screen time meaningfully and that clarity drives every decision we make.
Also, consider ethics and transparency from the beginning. Test small, learn, and repeat. AI is a powerful tool, but it’s not magic; human insight is what makes it truly effective.
How do you see AI evolving in your industry over the next 5 years?
Adam Adler: AI will become more personalized and intuitive, adapting learning experiences to each child’s individual needs in real time. For Wyzly, that means smarter ways to engage kids, while supporting parents with insights, guidance and tools to make screen time safer and more productive.
Ultimately, AI in education will continue to enhance learning and family well-being rather than simply automate processes. The focus will be on creating meaningful, supportive experiences for kids and parents alike.
