It appears that educational institutions are indeed utilizing AI-based smart chatbots for student support and engagement. According to various sources, these educational chatbots act as virtual assistants, providing personalized assistance to students and facilitating self-paced learning. They can also answer common questions, provide guidance, and perform administrative tasks, leading to increased efficiency and convenience. One study notes that chatbots are becoming increasingly popular in the education sector, with higher education institutions implementing AI-powered virtual assistants to support students, faculty, and staff.
Chatbots can also help institutions save on costs by performing repetitive tasks accurately and freeing up valuable time for teachers and staff. This, in turn, can reduce the need for additional support staff and alleviate burnout experienced by educators and staff overburdened with work. Furthermore, chatbots can help build relationships with students, driving retention, reducing summer melt, and improving graduation rates. Some educational chatbots are specifically designed for project-based learning, providing personalized learning through virtual assistants that replicate humanized conversation. However, it's worth noting that educational chatbots are still relatively new in the education paradigm, and their full potential is yet to be fully realized. Overall, the use of AI-based smart chatbots in education has the potential to transform teaching and learning, providing personalized support and engagement to students while also increasing efficiency and reducing costs for educational institutions.