Artificial Intelligence News & Update: AI Online TA Jill Watson Successfully Fooled Students

There is no doubt that machines and robots are better than humans when it comes to speed and efficiency because they don't get tired. In fact, many fear that artificial intelligence or AI will take over the workforce. Will there be a job that is impossible for AI to take over? Do you think AI will be a good teacher?

Jill Watson A Virtual Teaching Assistant With AI

Well, humans are still superior to AI because we feed them their knowledge. However, what would you do if it's the other way around?

According to Science Daily, Professor Ashok Goel teaches Knowledge Based Artificial Intelligence (KBAI) every semester. This subject is a core requirement of Georgia Tech's Online Master's of Science in Computer Science program. Every time he offers this, about 300 students, post 10,000 messages in the online forum, which is too much to handle for Goel and his eight teaching assistants (TA).

To resolve the issue, Goel added a ninth TA, named Jill Watson. She was not ordinary because Jill is a computer, a virtual TA. Goel created the AI to provide speedy answers to the students' concerns.

"One of the main reasons many students drop out is because they don't receive enough teaching support. We created Jill as a way to provide faster answers and feedback," he said.

Lalith Polepeddi, a graduate student told News Center that initially Jill was stuck on keywords. For instance, she gets confused to similar keywords with a different context, so they made her smarter. When the AI showed 97 percent accuracy, they mixed Jill Watson with other other eight TAs.

Teaching Assistant AI Successfully Fooled Students

Most students did not doubt about Jill Watson's personality. They believe that she is human similar to other TAs. However, one student named Tyson Bailey wonder about Jill and posted his suspicions on Piazza, Science Daily notes.

"We were taking an AI course, so I had to imagine that it was possible there might be an AI lurking around," said Bailey. "Then again, I asked Dr. Goel if he was a computer in one of my first email interactions with him. I think it's a great idea and hope that they continue to improve it."

Do you want to interact with the AI teaching assistant, Jill Watson? Do you want more AI in the field of education? Do you agree that AI TAs would be helpful? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.