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ByteDance's AI Homework Helper, Gauth, Thrives in US Education Apps Market Amid Political Challenges
Gauth, ByteDance's AI homework helper, ranks second in the US education apps market for Apple iOS devices. Chinese education technology (edtech) enterprises, including Gauth, have managed to survive Beijing's crackdown on the sector. Gauth's popularity extends beyond the US, with significant user bases in Canada and the Philippines.
Chinese-developed study apps powered by artificial intelligence (AI) are gaining traction in the United States, despite the political challenges faced by ByteDance, the owner of popular social media platform TikTok. One such app, Gauth, marketed as an "AI homework helper" by ByteDance subsidiary GauthTech, has emerged as the second most-downloaded education app for Apple iOS devices in the US, according to a recent market survey by consumer data research firm Data.ai. This success highlights the resilience of Chinese education technology (edtech) enterprises in the face of Beijing's crackdown on the sector.
Gauth's rise in popularity comes at a time when ByteDance is grappling with political headwinds in the US. The app, which offers AI-powered assistance with homework, ranked third in the Data.ai survey. Another AI homework helper app, Question.AI, backed by Beijing-based online education services start-up Zuoyebang, also made it to the top three. These apps' overseas success demonstrates their ability to navigate Beijing's regulatory restrictions.
In July 2021, the Chinese Communist Party and the State Council implemented a ban on private tutoring firms profiting from off-campus courses that cover school curricula. This crackdown also prohibited listed companies and overseas entities from investing in or acquiring stakes in edtech enterprises. As a result, ByteDance had to lay off thousands of employees in its education unit. However, the company has retained the education unit as one of its major business groups, despite the setbacks.
Originally known as Gauthmath, the app underwent a major rebranding in December 2020 and was relaunched as Gauth. It initially focused on mathematics and provided live support from human tutors. The app has since integrated AI technology and expanded its subject coverage. Gauth's popularity extends beyond the US, with significant user bases in Canada and the Philippines, according to Data.ai. The app boasts features such as scanning, solving, and mastering various subjects, along with round-the-clock access to online experts for challenging questions.
In addition to its success in the education apps market, ByteDance has been diversifying its presence in the US. Despite calls from American lawmakers to divest TikTok's US operations or face a ban, ByteDance is set to launch "TikTok Notes," a rival app to Instagram. The company is also leveraging influencers to promote its photo-and-video-sharing app, Lemon8, which was introduced in 2020.
Despite the political challenges faced by ByteDance, Gauth's rise in the US education apps market showcases the demand for AI-powered learning tools. Chinese edtech enterprises have demonstrated their ability to adapt and thrive in a changing regulatory landscape. As ByteDance continues to navigate political headwinds, its diversification efforts and the success of Gauth highlight the company's determination to maintain a strong presence in the US market.
Gauth, ByteDance's AI homework helper, ranks second in the US education apps market for Apple iOS devices.
Chinese education technology (edtech) enterprises, including Gauth, have managed to survive Beijing's crackdown on the sector.
Gauth's popularity extends beyond the US, with significant user bases in Canada and the Philippines.
Source: SCMP