解:∵四边形$ABCD$是长方形
∴$∠A=∠D = 90°,$$CD = AB = 3,$$AD = BC = 5$
∵$CE$是折痕,∴$F {C} = BC = 5,$$EF = BE$
∵在$Rt\triangle CDF {中},$$DF^2+CD^2=F C^2$
∴$DF^2=F C^2-CD^2=5^2-3^2=16,$∴$DF = 4,$∴$AF = AD - DF = 1$
设$AE = x,$则$BE = EF = 3 - x$
∵在$Rt\triangle AEF {中},$$EF^2=AE^2+AF^2,$∴$(3 - x)^2=x^2+1^2$
解得$x=\frac 43$
∴$AE=\frac 43$