A new tool from Companion—a popular AI software—has teachers and professors worried about the integrity of assigned homework.
Dubbed Einstein, Companion’s newest feature claims to log into Canvas—a platform used widely across schools and universities—and view lectures, write essays, submit homework, and even participate in class discussions.
Dystopian? That’s just the beginning.
If functional, Einstein could significantly reshape higher education. By automating coursework, the tool opens yet another door for students to step back from their own learning. With the rise of AI, professors have already raised concerns about authenticity in student work—and this may intensify those fears.
So what exactly does Einstein claim to do?
According to Companion, Einstein operates using its own virtual computer, allowing it to browse the internet, scan PDFs, watch videos, listen to lectures, and interact with websites independently. It can connect directly to Canvas, log in, and complete assignments without requiring ongoing student input.
The company says Einstein can write essays with citations, submit assignments, participate in class discussions, and track deadlines automatically.
Students can even connect the tool to messaging platforms like Discord or Telegram. Need a paper submitted early? Einstein can handle it.
Educators are already sounding the alarm.
Artificial intelligence tools have made cheating easier, but Einstein represents a new level of automation. While AI has legitimate educational uses, professors say they are seeing more students rely on it for everything from writing essays to answering basic questions.
In a Reddit thread discussing Einstein, one professor wrote bluntly: “Get me off this rock.”
Another shared a moment from their classroom: “I literally just told a class, ‘If AI can do it, why would anyone hire YOU?’ Half the class seemed to have a realization, while the other half was using it to do the assignment.”
Beyond cheating, many fear long-term consequences.
Students who rely heavily on automation may miss opportunities to develop critical thinking skills—abilities employers consistently value. “People aren’t hired to do routine ‘do XYZ’ assignments, they are hired to make decisions about what assignments (and prompts to those assignments) are the correct business relevant problems to be solving,” one user wrote.
Online learning has already created distance between students and traditional classroom engagement. Tools like Einstein could widen that gap even further.
If the technology works as advertised, students could theoretically complete full courses with minimal effort—maybe even their entire four years of college.
Einstein might write your research paper. Participate in your discussions. Watch your lectures. But once you have the degree, the question remains:
What did you actually learn?
Peter Candia is the Food + Drink Editor at New Jersey Digest. A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, Peter found a passion for writing midway through school and never looked back. He is a former line cook, server and bartender at top-rated restaurants in the tri-state area. In addition to food, Peter enjoys politics, music, sports and anything New Jersey.
