Artificial Intelligence (AI) and learning have a tumultuous relationship, to say the least. AI makes learning so easy…or does it? Is there actual learning occurring on an AI study app like Gauth? Or is it simply doing the work for you? When it comes to kids, AI and learning can hardly compete. Kids will inevitably choose AI over the classical way of learning because it’s less work.
Generative AI “study” apps are now ubiquitous, and they are marketed directly towards young learners. Here are FIVE FACTS every parent needs to know about Gauth (AI Study Companion):
#1 What is Gauth?
Gauth (formerly Gauthmath) is a Generative AI app designed to solve problems, write essays, and provide summaries of classic literature (think: Cliff notes). Don’t be fooled by the “AI Study Companion” tag they’ve added to their name – there is little “studying” done on this app.
The app is presently ranked in the Top 10 Free Apps and is ranked as the #1 app in Education, with over 10 million downloads.
Downloading and using the app is simple and intuitive. No account creation is required to get started. They do, however, ask you to agree to terms of service, privacy notice, and an honor code.
They boast they are an “All-in-One Study Hub” with tools to help your “learning” and 24/7 access to live experts (for a fee).
#2 Convenient Homework Helper with High Accuracy
Employing an LLM (Large Language Model) of their own or GPT-4o and Gemini 1.5 pro, the app analyzes a picture of the problem to be solved and provides a solution within seconds. It’s convenient because it requires very little effort.
They boast, “Fast and Accurate.” The fast part is indisputable. The accuracy….well, let’s just start by letting their own lack of proofreading speak for itself. This intro page (that they must assume no one is reading) says: “Snap! Slove! Succeed!” Slove instead of Solve.
This mistake gives the impression of “Move fast and break things,” as Mark Zuckerberg famously said in 2012. If the Singapore-based app developers moved so fast in getting this app to market that they overlooked this misspelling, what other mistakes have been made? Are the Literature Reviews accurate and trustworthy? Or did they move fast and break things there as well?
#3 All Subjects, All Grades
Gauth offers “homework help” in History, Math, Physics, Chemistry, English/Literature, Geometry, Language, and Economics. Let’s examine how it “helps.”
MATH:
Using an actual high school Geometry final exam, we snapped a picture of question #31. As you can see below, on the first try, Gauth provided an answer that was not even an option in the multiple-choice question. After changing our “camera mode” to GEOMETRY, we tried again. Alas, still wrong.
For those who are curious, the answer is B) 9.
In our research, we found that Gauth cannot accurately solve complex, multi-step math equations. When simpler Geometry questions were snapped, however, the app generated the correct answer. This lack of consistency can give a false sense of security to a student trying to survive advancing math classes with Gauth’s ” help.”
HISTORY:
We decided to test Gauth’s critical thinking skills with not only history – but Bible history. We snapped a picture of this question from a college textbook covering the prophets: Trace the theme of leaders throughout the book of Micah, describing the actions of the bad leaders and contrasting that with the action of the coming Messiah.
While this short essay answer isn’t theologically wrong, the prose is characteristically AI. Any student who copies and pastes this as their homework will not only miss out on the blessing of understanding the prophetic books of Scripture but will also be called out for using AI.
ENGLISH/LITERATURE:
Gauth offers a comprehensive overview of the most common works of literature that are typically required reading in schools.
It’s hard to consider this wrong if you’d allow Cliff Notes. The content seemed accurate from what we read, but we did not look at anything other than 1984.
WRITING:
To test th
e writing feature, we asked a burning question that had been on our minds that day: What does four hours of YouTube watching do to a child’s mind?
We were able to choose the type of writing we were doing, the proficiency level, the length of the essay (300-1500 words), and whether reference citations were needed. The result was on par for AI – nothing outstanding but thorough and concise.
#4 Focus, Unit Converter, Rewards, and Subscriptions.
Under the “EXPLORE” navigation tab are the advanced features of FOCUS, CALCULATOR (typical and unconcerning), and UNIT CONVERTER.
FOCUS brings the user to Gauth’s “AI Study Buddy.” This feature holds little value and seems to be provided as an addition to its AI aesthetic.
The UNIT CONVERTER is the feature that made our resident I.T. expert and Math teacher the most frustrated.
And why? This is the easy, everyday math that every student needs to know how to do. Having the option not to learn how to do this type of math sets a student back in overall mathematical abilities because all math builds on itself.
We do, however, believe that adults who have completed their education should be able to use this feature.
Under the “PROFILE” navigation, you can create an account and sign up for a subscription to Gauth Plus. The pricing seems fairly high for what you get. In our testing, we never hit a cap in answers or any advertisements. Perhaps those are coming soon…
They also offer Daily rewards as they track how often a user gets “homework help” as an encouragement to “Learn and earn every day.” (Which, they wrote “everyday” as an adjective rather than the adverb meaning “daily.” We didn’t set out to be the grammar police but when they claim “accuracy,” one would hope they’d at least be accurate on the small stuff. ) Variable reward feedback loops that encourage “streaks” are fundamentally addicting.
Finally, the app also allows for messaging between users (the small envelope in the top right corner). App messaging features like these are always concerning and dangerous places predators can connect with kids.
#5 Rating & Recommendation
App Store: 4+
GooglePlay: E for everyone
Gauth Terms: 18+
Brave Parenting: Parents only
Brave Parenting does not recommend Gauth or any AI homework help/study companion for K-12 students. Children are required to receive an education for the innate value of learning how to learn. Learning is a process—it is hard and takes time. Generative AI-powered apps circumvent this process and focus only on answers. It’s the epitome of comfort and convenience culture, where children believe they deserve to be happy and comfortable.
As much as Gauth claims to provide step-by-step processes for math problems, the reality is that kids will likely just take the answer and run. Rarely will they use those steps to learn. Then again, this also assumes the solutions and steps are accurate.
If you want to block these apps from your child’s phone for no other reason, the terms of service state that you must be 18 years old. “Legally” if you don’t consent as the parent, the child can not use it.
Is the app a complete waste? No, we actually believe this can be helpful for parents who need to come alongside their children and help with homework. The reality for most adults is that once you complete physics, geometry, or literature in high school and college, you’ve gained the ability to learn how to learn, but you’ve not retained the ability to calculate the volume of a cube or to balance a chemical equation. If an app like this helps refresh your memory on these subjects so that you can help your child, great! (We generally recommend not using the app in front of them, however.)
Biblical Considerations
The Gauth app serves up its Honor Code almost immediately because it understands the innate ability to compromise integrity and honesty with an app like this. They emphasize academic integrity, but Christians should aim to uphold high integrity in all aspects of life as a witness to the salvation granted to us through the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ.
Proverbs 12:22 states, “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.”
Scripture also emphasizes hard work and diligence, two characteristics that are undermined by Generative AI. Colossians 3:23 emphasizes who we work hard and diligently for: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.” There is nothing hard-working about using AI to get your homework done.
Furthermore, allowing children to utilize AI for homework and studying help deprives them of the opportunities to gain true wisdom and discernment. These are often developed and grown from difficulties and challenges inherent to learning new subjects and contexts. Romans 5:3-4 states, “Suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Without a biblical counter to the cultural lie that children have a right or an entitlement to be happy all the time, they will not choose to suffer, persevere, develop character, and hope. The suffering of schoolwork is not something that parents should ever aim to relieve their children of.
