Accelerating the digital transformation of rural education is a crucial component of China’s broader strategies for educational empowerment, digital development, and rural revitalization. This transformation marks the beginning of a new era where rural education in China is increasingly driven by digital technologies. The digitalization of rural education brings intrinsic value to future rural social development, encompassing contemporary relevance, talent cultivation, governance enhancement, and societal progress. However, an examination of the current state of rural education reveals that while intelligent technologies empower rural education, they also pose various risks. These include the potential displacement of rural educators, erosion of traditional rural culture, challenges to government educational governance, and the imposition of urban-centric models on rural schooling. In response, this study proposes a three-pronged strategy: (1) establishing an action network tailored to the digital transformation of rural education, (2) cultivating a digital mindset within rural educational contexts, and (3) exploring the inherent potential of digital transformation in rural settings.These approaches aim to foster synergy between digital technology and rural education, facilitating comprehensive digital upgrading and promoting high-quality educational development in rural areas.