It has come to our attention that a new Google Lens feature, “Homework Help”, can be used by students to receive aid or even the answers to questions in quizzes in BruinLearn. The option appears in the top right corner of the screen in / next to the URL bar.
Upon clicking, a new box appears where students can highlight where they want help on their screen– it is very open-ended in the kind of support Google offers.
Here is an example of using the tool to answer this Italian Placement exam question:
It should also be noted that Google sometimes provides the incorrect answer, or no answer, if it feels that it does not have enough information. For the above example, sometimes it responds in Italian or English. As with any AI use, the information generated should be taken with great care.
A Canvas Forum topic was opened on September 5th asking about Google Lens’ impact on Canvas services, with Support responding:
Google’s new ‘Homework Help’ feature is a recent change, and we recognize the impact it can have on assessments delivered in Canvas.
We’re actively engaging with our partners to support institutions navigating these changes:
- With proctoring partners: We’re sharing what we know and collaborating closely so they can adapt their solutions to continue meeting the needs of customers in this evolving landscape of AI and assessment.
- With Google: We’re reaching out to emphasize our shared commitment to academic integrity and excellence, and to explore options for reducing the risk of misuse in testing contexts.
- With the education community: We’re joining and helping lead conversations on doubling down on authentic assessment approaches – projects, portfolios, oral responses, and discussions – that AI tools like Homework Help cannot trivially solve.
As institutions consider how best to deliver high-stakes assessments, options such as lockdown browsers or integrated proctoring tools can help reduce the likelihood of students accessing outside tools and features during a quiz.
In response to this, we are encouraging faculty and staff to utilize the Respondus Lockdown Browser feature if you are concerned with students using Google Lens’ ‘Homework Help.’
We will continue to monitor this situation and keep everyone informed of any better and/or long-term solutions.
For more information about AI & Instruction– check out HumTech’s AI Toolkit