Harmonic Launches AI Chatbot App to Enhance Mathematical Reasoning

Harmonic, an artificial intelligence startup co-founded by Vlad Tenev, the CEO of Robinhood, has officially launched a beta version of its chatbot application, Aristotle, on iOS and Android platforms. This innovative app is designed to provide users with advanced mathematical reasoning capabilities, positioning itself as a game-changer in the AI landscape. The announcement was made on July 28, 2025, during a period marked by a surge in interest and investment in AI technologies.

The primary objective of Harmonic is to develop what it terms 'mathematical superintelligence' (MSI), aiming to assist users across various domains that heavily rely on mathematical principles, including physics, statistics, and computer science. According to Tudor Achim, CEO of Harmonic, Aristotle is touted as the first AI product capable of not only providing accurate answers but also formally verifying the correctness of its outputs. Achim emphasized the app's unique feature of guaranteeing 'hallucination-free' results within the quantitative reasoning domains it supports, a claim that addresses ongoing concerns regarding the reliability of AI models in general.

"Within the domains that Aristotle supports, which are quantitative reasoning domains, we actually do guarantee that there’s no hallucinations," Achim stated in an interview with TechCrunch. This assertion is particularly significant given the prevailing issues of hallucinations associated with many contemporary AI models. Studies, including a 2023 report from the Journal of AI Research, have shown that leading AI systems frequently produce erroneous outputs, undermining their reliability for critical applications.

Harmonic's beta launch comes shortly after the company secured $100 million in a Series B funding round led by Kleiner Perkins, achieving an impressive valuation of $875 million. This financial backing reflects investor confidence in Harmonic's ambitious goals and its potential to revolutionize mathematical reasoning through AI. Achim noted that the rapid advancement of their technology has justified the valuation, as it seeks to fulfill a significant gap in the AI market.

Currently, several tech giants, including Google and OpenAI, are also investing in AI systems designed to tackle mathematical problems. However, Harmonic distinguishes itself by employing an open-source programming language called Lean to facilitate Aristotle's reasoning processes. Before providing answers, Aristotle engages in a meticulous algorithmic verification process, ensuring that the solutions it presents are accurate. Achim likened this verification methodology to technologies utilized in high-stakes industries, such as medical devices and aviation, where precision is paramount.

Despite the advancements claimed by Harmonic, the challenge of achieving consistent hallucination-free performance in AI remains formidable. A 2025 study published in the Journal of Machine Learning revealed that even state-of-the-art models, including those developed by OpenAI, continue to produce hallucinations at an alarming rate. In contrast, Harmonic claims that Aristotle has achieved 'gold medal' performance at the 2025 International Math Olympiad, based on a formal test format that translates problems into a machine-readable structure, showcasing its competitive edge in mathematical reasoning.

The implications of Harmonic's development extend beyond providing a new app for consumers. The successful deployment of an AI capable of reliable mathematical reasoning could pave the way for its application in various sectors, enhancing educational tools, engineering designs, and scientific research methodologies. As the AI landscape evolves, the ability to deliver dependable outputs could redefine the roles of AI in numerous industries.

Looking ahead, Harmonic plans to expand its offerings by releasing an API for enterprises to integrate Aristotle into their systems, as well as a web application for broader consumer access. As the demand for AI solutions continues to grow, the outcomes of Harmonic's innovative approach could significantly influence the future of AI applications in mathematics and beyond. The company's trajectory will be closely monitored by industry observers as it seeks to establish itself as a leader in the rapidly evolving AI domain.