The integration of AI and chatbots in education is poised to bring about significant changes in the way students learn and teachers teach. The global chatbot market, which was valued at 526 million USD in 2021, is projected to expand at a CAGR of 239% from 2022 to 2030, reaching a staggering 3619 million USD. This growth is largely driven by the benefits of AI chatbots in education, including their ability to provide immediate support, answer questions, offer explanations, and provide additional resources. Moreover, chatbots can be integrated as adaptive virtual tutors, providing personalized learning experiences to students. A systematic review of the literature on chatbots in education highlights the potential of chatbots to revolutionize education systems, despite the challenges and barriers to their implementation.
While the potential of AI and chatbots in education is undeniable, their impact on higher education is still being explored. A panel of experts in AI and education recently discussed the strengths, weaknesses, barriers, and opportunities of integrating AI in education. They noted that while AI-powered chatbots can provide immediate support and facilitate language learning, there is a lack of studies exploring the attitudes and perceptions of teachers and students towards these intelligent tutors. This highlights the need for further research to understand the potential and limitations of chatbots in education. Moreover, the development of advanced models such as ChatGPT has sparked considerable interest, as they can generate human-like text and facilitate learning. However, university administrators and faculty are weighing the pros and cons of these new online learning tools. While AI-powered chatbots hold the promise of revolutionizing education, their impact on student learning and teacher roles is still being debated.