Google Public Sector, in conjunction with the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, has initiated a cutting-edge Virtual Teaching Assistant pilot program designed to enhance customized learning experiences and educate teachers about artificial intelligence in educational environments.

The AI system, supported by Google’s Gemini chatbot, grants students 24/7 access to assistance and self-guided learning opportunities. This Virtual TA symbolizes the future of educational chatbots, functioning as a sophisticated AI learning companion that educators can employ to tailor their particular lessons and instructional methods.

The Virtual TA promotes self-directed learning for students, offers on-demand clarifications of intricate course topics, steers them through problem resolution, and serves as a practice collaborator. It is structured to nurture critical thinking by refraining from providing direct answers, compelling students to actively seek solutions.

The Virtual TA has been trialed across various business courses at U-M and additional institutions, covering areas such as financial technology, operations strategy, operations analytics, and statistics. Initial outcomes from the pilot program suggest an increase in student engagement and a deeper understanding by instructors regarding student learning patterns.

This tool provides instantaneous data about student interactions with the platform and frequently posed questions regarding course content, enabling educators to refine instructional materials.

“By collaborating with Google Public Sector, we’re harnessing leading-edge technology to enhance the educational journey for our learners,” stated Jun Li, a Ross professor specializing in technology and operations. “We’ve observed promising early signs of success in utilizing the AI-enabled Virtual TA and are excited about further implementing this instrument to advance learning.”

Ross will incorporate findings from the Virtual TA pilot into a research initiative spanning a vast network of prominent higher education establishments, aimed at uncovering the beneficial impacts of GenAI technology in post-secondary education. This study will engage approximately 9,000 students across 72 courses and 26 schools, jointly led by Ross and the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

Andrew Wu, an associate professor of technology and operations at Ross, who serves as a co-director of the study, emphasizes the aim is to create a versatile AI tutor that fosters autonomous thinking and enhances student participation.

Ross will weave insights from the Virtual TA pilot into a research examination surveying the utilization of this technology among a broad network of leading higher education institutions. The investigation will encompass around 9,000 learners, 72 courses, and 26 schools.

Li is jointly directing the study with Andrew Wu, an associate professor in technology and operations. She emphasizes that the objective is to develop a flexible AI tutor that stimulates independent thought and increases student engagement.

“Recent studies show that utilizing GenAI tools without supervision can detrimentally influence learning, as they frequently offer students simplistic or erroneous responses, hindering genuine comprehension,” Li remarked. “Nonetheless, this tool is meant to facilitate learning, not substitute it.”

This investigation was motivated by U-M Maizey, a platform employed for academic advising, scheduling, and administrative tasks. Maizey provides students access to resources and course materials while assisting faculty and advisors with managing appointments, monitoring academic progress, and collaborating on academic planning.

This initiative will represent one of the largest implementations of an AI agent in the education sector to better understand how colleges and universities can integrate AI, according to officials.

“As a vital partner to leading educational institutions, Google Public Sector is honored to be at the forefront of this tailored learning methodology to enhance educational delivery, facilitate early identification for intervention, and aid educators in addressing some of their significant challenges,” remarked Chris Hein, field chief technology officer of Google Public Sector.

“The Virtual TA exemplifies how a customizable, Gemini-driven solution can propel the future of education and assist in training the forthcoming workforce.”

Google Public Sector is a branch of Google dedicated to aiding governmental agencies and educational entities in realizing their missions through digital transformation, improved security, advanced AI, and innovative technology.

To discover more about how Ross is promoting AI research to enhance student learning and equip business professionals with the capabilities to effectively utilize AI in their careers, visit AI at Michigan Ross.

For further details on how Google Cloud’s AI technology is propelling digital transformation for government entities and educational organizations, visit Google AI for Public Sector.