[[duration]] minutes
This content is generated by Google AI. Generative AI is experimental
Partnering with Khan Academy on building AI tools for classrooms
Ben Gomes, Sal Khan and Google fellows
Listen to article
The nonprofit Khan Academy is introducing new AI-powered learning tools in classrooms, just in time for back-to-school season, with help from Google. Built with Gemini models, these updates bring new capabilities to Khanmigo, Khan Academy’s AI-powered student tutor and teaching assistant. The new features include interactive diagrams that guide students through math and science concepts in the moment, and a reimagined practice tool that keeps teachers in control of their assignments.
Since March, a team of six Google engineers worked alongside Khan Academy's product and engineering organization through a six-month Google.org fellowship.
This collaboration is an extension of Google and Khan Academy’s commitment to co-create AI tools in the classroom. The partnership also included a Google.org grant and gave Khan Academy's experts direct access to Gemini models in time for the 2026 school year.
A smarter, interactive tutor
Khanmigo now has new ways to help students learn. Where it previously offered text, Khanmigo now uses Gemini's advanced reasoning capabilities to generate interactive visual aids and diagrams. If Khanmigo detects that a visual could help a student with a math or science problem, it will create charts, geometric shapes, parallel coordinate plots, and more. And if a student drags a vertex or a line segment, Khanmigo recognizes the change and adjusts the lesson accordingly.
A student dragging a vertex in interactive diagrams in Khanmigo
Bringing these interactive elements to life required deep collaboration. First, Google engineers helped define the underlying metrics for what makes a high-quality diagram. Then, they evaluated the visuals for relevance, helpfulness, and clarity, ensuring diagrams appear exactly when students can benefit the most. They also worked together to refine visual details like labeling, and built a new feedback widget directly into Khanmigo so user input can help continually improve the experience. Khan Academy is seeing early signs of increased student engagement and how well students answer questions after they see a diagram.
A teacher-controlled workflow
The second major feature to come out of this partnership is Khan Academy’s reimagined Practice My Knowledge tool, which keeps teachers in control of their practice materials. Originally, the goal was simply to use AI to generate high-quality multiple choice questions. But working in partnership with Google fellows helped the Khan Academy team pursue a bigger opportunity: completely redesigning the tool making it fully editable, scorable and reviewable by educators.
The latest version now enables teachers to partner with Gemini to plan, draft, and validate practice questions before students see them. Teachers can also upload their own materials for Gemini to reference. Before an assignment goes out, a teacher reviews the full set, making edits or rejecting questions before they're sent to students. Once the work is done, teachers receive detailed performance reports for easy assessment. It's an update rooted in a clear philosophy: Gemini drafts the materials, but teachers have the final say on what students see. Teachers and administrators have told Khan Academy these adjustments make a difference, giving them just what they need to ensure questions are the right difficulty level for their students.
By pairing Google engineers with Khan Academy's educational expertise, we're building tools that deepen what teachers and students can expect from responsible AI. Districts using Khanmigo can check out the new features today. Read more from Khan Academy here.
