Abstract: Artificial intelligence can empower the reform of classroom teaching in universities by providing technology, resources, and teaching assistants. As a result, AI provides comprehensive technical support for the reform. Analyzed from dimensions such as learning input, information processing, learning output, and evaluation feedback, the mechanisms through which AI empowers the reform of classroom teaching in universities offer four roles. The four roles are: (1) the mechanism of human-computer interaction for personalized learning input, (2) the mechanism of human-computer collaboration for deep meaning construction, (3) the context integration for diversified learning output, and (4) the mechanism of intelligent feedback for precise teaching evaluation. The paths for AI to empower the reform of classroom teaching in universities can be implemented by enhancing teachers’ digital literacy, solidifying the students’ central role, and establishing an intelligent system of evaluation.