In a typical fifth-grade classroom in the Paradise Valley Unified School District, students hunch over Chromebooks, whispering into headsets or typing out questions about algebra, ecosystems or literary analysis.
But it’s not their teacher responding — it’s an AI chatbot named Khanmigo.
Developed by the nonprofit Khan Academy, Khanmigo is part of Arizona's $1.5 million investment in artificial intelligence-powered learning tools aimed at reshaping how students engage with complex subjects — and how teachers manage classrooms already stretched thin.
Currently, 130,000 students in Arizona are equipped with Khanmigo through a partnership between the Arizona Department of Education and Khan Academy.
Officials with the Khan Academy did not return calls or emails prior to publication regarding the implementation of the program.
Studies show it works. A 2024 randomized controlled trial involving nearly 11,000 students in grades 3-8 found those using Khan Academy in a year-long mastery learning program improved their math scores by 0.12 to 0.22 standard deviations (Oreopoulos, Gibbs, Jenson and Price, 2024).
Inside the AI tutoring program
Launched in select Maricopa County schools this academic year, Khanmigo functions like a tutor. Unlike search engines or basic AI bots, Khanmigo doesn’t provide answers — it nudges students forward using Socratic questioning, encouraging them to work through problems step by step.
Students log into a chat interface where they can select subjects and ask questions via text or microphone. The AI then guides them through critical thinking using their prior knowledge, prompting deeper engagement and independent learning.
Educator reactions
Paradise Valley Unified School District piloted the platform earlier this year. Educators there are intrigued — but cautious.
“We were given 2,400 free licenses to use in our district,” said Sara Hackett, public information officer for PVUSD. “We offer teachers the option to use it in their classrooms, so it's totally up to the teacher. Once they sign up for one of the free licenses, they’re offered training opportunities on how to best utilize it in the classroom. The teachers and students who use it have really embraced it.”
Teachers report students are more engaged, especially those who are shy or hesitant to ask questions aloud. Since the program uses a Socratic teaching method, it never gives students the answer outright.
“Even a simple question like ‘What is 5 x 5?’ is met with a series of prompts that help the student arrive at the answer, rather than just giving it to them,” Hackett said.
Hackett shared a story from North Ranch Elementary School: “We recently had a group using Khanmigo in the classroom while the teacher was working one-on-one with another student. It allows students to ask AI immediate questions until the teacher can get back to them.”
While educators stress AI cannot replace a trained, empathetic human teacher, tools like Khanmigo help students move forward in larger classrooms, where one-on-one support is harder to provide.
AI in classrooms across the nation
Arizona is ahead of the curve nationally when it comes to AI in education. While states such as California and Oregon have released formal guidance on AI use in schools, only a few — Arizona among them — are actively piloting AI programs at scale.
A 2024 report by the Center on Reinventing Public Education found just 13 states are addressing AI in public education policy. Arizona’s investment in Khanmigo places it among a small group of early adopters testing AI-powered instruction in real-world classroom settings.
A path forward: Where AI and human teaching intersect
AI is full of promise for education, but supporting students and teachers remains the priority. Some hope it will help reduce teacher burnout, while others say it boosts engagement among shy students.
Marisol Garcia, president of the Arizona Education Association and an eighth-grade social studies teacher in the Isaac School District, said, “AI will never be able to replace the power of real-life educators, but we’re hopeful that some AI-based tools can help with paperwork and free up more time for educators to focus on their students. Our priority is to make sure that educators have a seat at the table as districts consider AI policies both now and into the future.”
Experts agree that successful integration of AI in classrooms depends on more than access or funding — it requires training, policy clarity, and a redefinition of the teacher’s role. Khan Academy emphasizes that Khanmigo is not a replacement for educators, but a tool to help students reach their potential.
Editor’s note: A grant from the Arizona Local News Foundation made this story possible. The foundation awarded 15 newsrooms to pay for solutions-focused education reporters for two years. Please send your comments to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.
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