Macquarie University swaps in-person psychology classes with AI chatbot for two subjects
TL;DR
University’s move is part of trend that critics within academia say will lead to further staff cuts and the loss of ‘everything that makes the job worth doing’ An Australian university has swapped in-person classes with an AI chatbot, online quizzes and optional online tutorials in two subjects as institutions give the technology more teaching responsibilities. Macquarie University’s “Virtual Peer” is part of each week’s learning in two mandatory Psychology units, programmed to ask students questions and guide them through scenario-based exercises.
Nauti's Take
A chatbot that asks questions around the clock and walks students through scenarios has genuine potential, since it offers far more practice runs than a seminar with a hundred people. The problem starts when the technology replaces in person teaching instead of supplementing it and becomes an argument for staff cuts.
Universities should treat these tools as an addition and measure learning outcomes before cutting whole formats.
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