Bots and AI are redefining the way teachers teach and students learn

Jill Watson, a bot, was used as a teaching assistant at Georgia Tech, and students never realised she's not human Automating rule-based and routine tasks like grading of tests and assignments can help reduce tedium for teachers We still need human teachers to mentor students, to promote high thinking and to provide the human touch Jill Watson, a bot, was used as a teaching assistant at Georgia Tech, and students never realised she's not human In January this year, Jill Watson joined the Georgia Institute of Technology US as a teaching assistant (TA) to help MSc (computer science) students with their design projects. Her job was to reply to their (thousands of) questions. She was prompt, responded quickly to questions over email, and posted regularly on online fora. She had an easy manner -- often responding with a brief "yep" or welcoming suggestions with a "we'd love to". The students described her as sharp, impersonal and prompt to respond.