Khan Academy’s Khanmigo Reaches 1 Million Students as Actual Use Stagnates
Updated
Updated · The Atlantic · Jun 25
Khan Academy’s Khanmigo Reaches 1 Million Students as Actual Use Stagnates
2 articles · Updated · The Atlantic · Jun 25
Summary
Nearly 1 million students can now access Khanmigo, up from 40,000 in 2023, but Khan Academy says student uptake has largely stalled and the AI tutor has been a “non-event” for many kids.
The core problem is motivation: Khan Academy executives and outside researchers say an AI bot can answer questions and tailor lessons, but it cannot make disengaged students do the hard work of learning.
A recent Stanford review found limited overall benefits from AI in K-12 schools, and tutoring researcher Laurence Holt says only about 5% of students use education technology as intended long enough to gain.
That pattern risks widening inequality, because the students most likely to use tools like Khanmigo are already motivated and often come from more advantaged homes.
Sal Khan has lately shifted emphasis toward “human systems,” reflecting a broader view that better-trained teachers and peer-driven classrooms remain more effective than scalable bots at motivating students.
AI tutors failed to motivate students. Can the next generation of AI finally crack the code of learning?
AI is widening educational inequality. How can schools stop technology from only helping the students who need it least?
Khanmigo’s 731% Growth Paradox: Will the 2026 RCT Prove AI Tutors Can Close the Motivation Gap?
Overview
Khanmigo, Khan Academy’s AI-powered tutor, is at a crucial turning point in mid-2026, marked by a major redesign and the anticipation of results from its first large-scale randomized controlled trial. The platform is being continuously improved based on real classroom feedback, with early use showing mixed results—some chats help students more than others. A key focus has been the comprehensive overhaul of the teacher dashboard, making it easier for educators to manage classes, assign work, and track student progress. These changes aim to enhance both teacher and student experiences, while robust evidence from ongoing trials will soon clarify Khanmigo’s true impact.