The support of artificial intelligence(AI)in the digital age has injected new vitality in-to the development of education.As an important application of AI in education,intelligent tutor systems(ITS)provide effective support for improving teaching efficiency and enabling personalized learning.However,new dilemmas have emerged in the application process.This article reviews the historical development of ITS,examines the current difficulties in positioning,functionality and ethics,and analyzes in detail the essential causes.It further explores appropriate pathways to en-hance their educational support,focusing on"correctly understanding role positioning,exploring innovative teaching applications","improving usability and accessibility,cultivating digital literacy of teachers and students",and"strengthening ethical research,standardizing practical application ethics".These efforts aim to gain a deeper understanding of the positioning and characteristics of ITS,promoting their more important contributions to teaching and learning in the digital age.