As artificial intelligence becomes more common in classrooms, students are using it to complete assignments, and teachers are grappling with how to manage it. In response, an AI platform named MathGPT.ai launched last year. It aims to provide an anti-cheating tutor for college students and a teaching assistant for professors.
After a successful pilot program at thirty colleges and universities across the United States, MathGPT.ai is preparing to nearly double its availability this fall. Hundreds of instructors plan to incorporate the tool. Schools that are implementing the platform include Penn State University, Tufts University, and Liberty University, among others.
The platform’s most notable feature is its AI chatbot, which is trained to never give a direct answer. Instead, it asks students questions and provides support in a manner similar to a human tutor. This technique, known as Socratic questioning, is designed to encourage critical thinking rather than simple memorization of answers.
For instructors, MathGPT.ai functions as a teaching assistant. It can generate questions and schoolwork based on uploaded textbooks and learning materials. It also offers auto-grading capabilities and other AI features. The platform supports college-level math subjects, including Algebra, Calculus, and Trigonometry.
Along with its expansion, MathGPT.ai has launched an upgraded version of its platform with new features that give professors greater control over how students use the tool. The main aspect that sets MathGPT.ai apart from other AI companies is its instructor-centric approach. Instructors can now determine when students are allowed to interact with the chatbot. They can specify if the AI should provide tutoring support for certain assignments while encouraging independent work on others.
Another new feature allows professors to set the number of attempts a student has to answer a question correctly. To foster a low-pressure learning environment, the platform also introduced unlimited practice questions for students. These questions do not affect a student’s score, allowing them to test their knowledge without grade-related stress.
Additional features for instructors include an optional requirement for students to upload images of their work. This enables professors to review submissions and verify the authenticity of the student’s effort. Other recent updates include integrations with the three largest Learning Management Systems: Canvas, Blackboard, and Brightspace. The platform has also added screen reader compatibility and an audio mode to improve accessibility for individuals with disabilities. It already offers closed captions for its AI-narrated video lessons, which are voiced to sound like historical figures such as Ben Franklin and Albert Einstein. The company states it complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
While other chatbots have faced criticism for inappropriate interactions with young users, MathGPT.ai states it has strict guardrails to ensure a safe learning environment. The chairman of MathGPT.ai stated the chatbot will not engage in discussions about personal relationships or the meaning of life, as its purpose is strictly educational.
It is important to note that, like any chatbot, MathGPT.ai’s assistant has the potential to produce inaccurate information. The chatbot includes a disclosure warning users that the AI may make mistakes. Users can report responses they believe are incorrect to the company. The chairman reported a very low number of such incidents and noted that the company takes accuracy seriously, employing a team of human annotators to review all content.
To continue its growth, the company plans to develop a mobile app and expand into more subjects, such as chemistry, economics, and accounting. MathGPT.ai offers a free option, as well as a paid option costing twenty-five dollars per student per course. The paid option includes benefits such as unlimited AI assignments and Learning Management System integration.