In the wave of the “Internet + AI” era, information technology is comprehensively reshaping the landscape of college English reading education. Traditional teaching models struggle to meet the demands of talent cultivation in the new era. The integration of “Internet + AI” technologies brings revolutionary opportunities to reading instruction, significantly enriching teaching resources, enabling personalized teaching, enhancing interactivity, and optimizing evaluation systems. Guided by principles such as student-centeredness and integrated innovation, this study proposes multiple strategies for advancing teaching practices. Using the Understanding Contemporary China: English Reading and Writing Tutorial (Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press) as a case study, this paper explores practical pathways for reforming college English reading instruction, aiming to improve teaching quality and students’ comprehensive English reading literacy.