AI-DRIVEN STUDENT ASSISTANCE: CHATBOTS REDEFINING UNIVERSITY SUPPORT

Resumen

The advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has brought about a transformative wave in the field of higher education, especially in the domain of student support services. This article presents the design and piloting of a chatbot that serves as an assistant to university students in their learning process at the European University of Madrid.As higher education institutions face an increasingly diverse student body and the demand for more accessible and personalised education, chatbots emerge as an innovative solution to address a myriad of challenges.Chatbots, powered by AI, are intelligent conversational agents designed to interact with students in a human-like manner. They provide answers to frequently asked questions, guide students through academic processes and provide 24/7 assistance, all tailored to individual learning needs. Through natural language processing and machine learning, these conversational agents can provide real-time assistance, helping students with course enrolment, academic queries and even emotional support. They foster engagement, reduce administrative burden and facilitate self-directed learning.This article analyses the expectations of students and teachers regarding the integration of this type of technological resources to support their work, presents the chatbot prototype integrated in the virtual campus and the testing process by students.In addition, we will examine the practical application of chatbots in educational institutions, showcasing case studies that illustrate their impact on improving retention, satisfaction and overall student success. The use of AI-based chatbots promises to revolutionise the way universities interact with their students, creating a more adaptive and responsive learning environment.The aim of this presentation is to offer insight into the transformative potential of AI-based student support, elucidating the future of university support and the evolving relationship between technology and education.