Two years ago, computer science professor Dr. Meena Vimal Cruz handed her student Matthew Pittendreigh a project: use artificial intelligence (AI) and natural language processing to create a chatbot for the college. "In my teaching," said Dr. Cruz, "I mentor students and help them get hands-on experience, applying theoretical knowledge to real-world problems. We work on a project basis. A chatbot will act like an automated customer support to help prospective students apply, get connected, and answer important questions about resources and deadlines, any hour of the day or night." Matthew, already a veteran of Dr. Cruz's projects, jumped right in.