Chinese AI-powered study apps are making their mark in the US education market, despite the political challenges faced by social media giant ByteDance, the owner of TikTok. Gauth, developed by ByteDance subsidiary GauthTech, is gaining popularity as an “AI homework helper” and is currently the second most-downloaded education app for Apple iOS devices in the US. Another Chinese app, Question.AI, ranks third in the market survey conducted by consumer data research firm Data.ai. These apps' success in the US demonstrates the resilience of some Chinese education technology (edtech) enterprises in the face of Beijing’s crackdown on the sector.
In July 2021, the Chinese Communist Party and the State Council imposed restrictions on private tutoring firms, prohibiting them from generating profits through off-campus courses aligned with school curricula. Furthermore, listed companies and overseas entities were banned from investing or acquiring stakes in these edtech enterprises. As a result, ByteDance had to let go of thousands of employees in its education unit. However, the company has maintained the unit as one of its major business groups.
Gauth, formerly known as Gauthmath, was launched in 2020 and initially focused on mathematics. It offered live support from human tutors. However, the app underwent a major rebranding in December 2023, incorporating AI and expanding its coverage to other subjects. In addition to its success in the US, Gauth has become widely popular in Canada and the Philippines. The app boasts its ability to scan, solve, and master all subjects, providing quick and accurate answers. It also offers round-the-clock online experts to assist users with their most challenging questions.
Question.AI, launched last year, utilizes a chat bot similar to ChatGPT to interact with users and answer their inquiries. The app’s most active users in March were from Indonesia and the Philippines, according to Chinese blog BaijingApp, citing data from app tracking firm Diandian.
ByteDance has been diversifying its presence in the US market, regardless of ongoing efforts by American lawmakers to divest TikTok’s US operations or impose a ban on the platform. ByteDance is set to launch “TikTok Notes,” an app that rivals Instagram, and it is also paying influencers to promote its photo-and-video-sharing app, Lemon8, which was introduced in 2020.
The success of these Chinese AI-powered study apps not only highlights their popularity in the US but also underscores the resilience and adaptability of Chinese edtech enterprises. Despite regulatory challenges and political headwinds, these apps continue to thrive and redefine the education market with their innovative AI solutions. With the rise of advanced technologies in the education sector, it will be interesting to see how these apps shape the future of learning and academic success.
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