Students turn to AI powered learning: AI teaching apps add 142 million users in 2024 – a 27% rise on 2023

A new analysis of education apps on the Google Play Store by app growth solutions company, SplitMetrics, has found a new trend – the startling rise of students using AI to support their studies.

SplitMetrics found that AI-powered apps which provide students with support such as advice and feedback on their homework, learn new languages and solve maths problems, are surging in popularity. On average in 2024, the sector has seen 1.2 million new AI education app users per week.

In the year to 31 August 2024, AI education apps added an estimated 49 million downloads, an increase of 27% from the same period in 2023 (113 million) and accounting for an estimated 35% of all education app downloads. The majority of the apps analysed were only created in the past two years.

The top ten AI apps that added the most users in 2024 so far are: Gauth: AI Study Companion (10m), Buddy.ai: Fun Learning Games (9.0m), QANDA: AI Homework Assistant (4.5m), Nerd AI – Tutor & Math Helper (4.5m), ELSA Speak: English Learning (4.5m), Easy Math: AI Homework Helper (4.4m), Uknow.AI: Homework&Math Solver (3.8m), Quizlet: AI-powered Flashcards (3.5m), Lingual Coach: Learn with AI (3.0m) and StudyX – Homework Help (1.6m).

Apps such as Gauth: AI Study Companion help students solve their homework: the app can provide an answer in seconds just by scanning the question, whether it is math, biology, physics or another subject. ELSA Speak and Lingual Coach help app users learn languages and brush up on their speaking skills. Buddy.ai, on the other hand, is an app geared towards preschool children to help them with their first words, numbers and speech practice.

In the first week of September 2024 – when students returned to schools and universities – the education app sector recorded 4.8 million new users – of which 40% were for AI education apps. On average in 2024, the sector has seen 1.2 million new AI education app users per week.

Thomas Kriebernegg, General Manager, SplitMetrics Agency, said: “The rise of AI powered educational apps underlines just how rapidly AI is impacting different aspects of our lives. Three years ago, AI apps made a tiny fraction of the educational market, now, they look set to account for the majority of new users.

“Our research underscores how different segments of the app market are impacted by seasonal events. The return to school is a clear opportunity for educational app developers and those that focus their marketing strategy on capitalising on this event will reap the rewards.

“The education sector is set for a record year in terms of new users. It follows the same trends we have seen in personal finance, trading and gaming. This points towards the app industry in general seeing a golden year with records being set across multiple sectors.”