Lathoa - Math app where AI is wrong on purpose
Show HN: Lathoa, a math app for kids where the AI is wrong on purpose
Lathoa is a critical-thinking math app for kids aged 10–14. In each challenge, an AI companion named Errol solves a problem step-by-step but makes a deliberate mistake. Kids must spot the bad step, explain why it's wrong in their own words, and earn detective ranks. The app builds the skill of questioning AI-generated answers, with three difficulty tiers (Obvious, Sneaky, Expert) and no timers or pressure. It's free for three cases daily, with subscription plans for families, and every problem is verified before kids see it. No open-ended chat, no profiling, COPPA-respecting.
In a world flooded with AI, the rare skill is knowing when it's lying. Most learning apps reward the right answer. We reward the right question.
- demibabs
Pls get rid of the “critical thinking app (dot) ages 10-14” thing at the top of the hero. It’s one of the most obvious signs a site was generated by an LLM. It also seems like the text on the site (and your post here) is AI-generated, which doesn’t inspire confidence.
I’m a fan of the idea behind this, though. Cool project.
- bbtalk
The idea is interesting, but generally, I'd still prefer that children don't use too many electronic devices. The real physical world is better..
- sinuhe69
I like the idea. But it’s wrong on today problem (movie started at 3:45 and lasts 90 min. When it will end?) - first choice 3:45 + 90 min was rejected by the program! The two other choices are even more problematic!
And I think that highlights the problem with AI tutor: no definite answer because no epistemic understanding. And that can undermine the trust in the system.
- __MatrixMan__
Reminds me of LIGO, which injected fake results until the humans got good at handling them, then later announced that one of the results wasn't fake. Seems at first like an upside-down way to discover gravitational waves, but I think it's a pattern worth exploring in more cases.
To paraphrase Doctorow:
> This is why the TSA are some of the most water-bottle-findingest **ers, but regularly overlook firearms when a red team takes one through. Humans do not stay vigilant to signals which almost never happen.
- its-summertime
I think speed would be irrelevant, or perhaps would discourage deep engagement with the problems.
I think presenting it as AI can be wrong is not as valuable as presenting it as developing the ability to question what one is told. (e.g. Verizon Math)