OpenAI Explores Integration of Custom Chatbots in Online Education

OpenAI wants to pair online courses with chatbots | TechCrunch

If OpenAI has its way, the next online course you take might have a chatbot component. Speaking at a fireside on Monday hosted by Coeus Collective, Siya Raj Purohit, a member of OpenAI's go-to-market team for education, said that OpenAI might explore ways to let e-learning instructors create custom "GPTs" that tie into online curriculums. "What I'm hoping is going to happen is that professors are going to create custom GPTs for the public and let people engage with content in a lifelong manner," Purohit said. "It's not part of the current work that we're doing, but it's definitely on the roadmap." Purohit says that already, she's observed professors uploading a "semester's worth" of content to create custom GPTs with OpenAI's existing tools, and then making those GPTs available to their students. "Students engage with that that finite knowledge ... [which] I think is a really powerful and good way to let them research," she added. OpenAI is aggressively going after the education market, which it sees as a key area of growth. In September, the company hired former Coursera chief revenue officer Leah Belsky as its first education GM and charged her with bringing OpenAI's products to more schools. And this spring, OpenAI launched ChatGPT Edu, a version of ChatGPT built for universities. According to Allied Market Research, the AI in education market could be worth $88.2 billion within the next decade. But growth is off to a sluggish start, in large part thanks to skeptical pedagogues. The GPTs Purohit described might look something like Khanmigo, a chatbot Khan Academy, the e-learning platform, launched in collaboration with OpenAI last year. Khanmigo can give students pointers on homework assignments, test prep, and more, tightly integrating with Khan Academy's educational content library. Illustrating the pitfalls of AI today, Khanmingo makes mistakes. When The Wall Street Journal tested the chatbot in February, it struggled with basic math, and often didn't correct errors when asked to double-check solutions. Purohit asserted that the tech is improving, however. "All of our models keep getting better, and our goal is to help translate that into what works in learning and teaching," she said. Educators remain largely skeptical. In a survey this year by the Pew Research Center, a quarter of public K-12 teachers said using AI tools in education does more harm than good. A separate poll by the Rand Corporation and the Center on Reinventing Public Education found that just 18% of K-12 educators are applying AI in their classrooms.

OpenAI is trying to be the best teacher out there

OpenAI is set to revolutionize online education by integrating AI chatbots into courses. At a recent fireside chat hosted by Coeus Collective, Siya Raj Purohit of OpenAI's education team explained the ongoing efforts to develop customized AI tools, called "GPTs," for enhanced student engagement with course material. The initiative aims to provide students with tailored assistance throughout their learning process. Purohit discussed how professors are currently utilizing OpenAI's technology by uploading a complete semester's worth of materials into AI models. These customized GPTs facilitate deeper interaction with specific subjects, potentially enhancing students' research abilities. "This is a great way for students to interact with finite knowledge and improve their research skills," Purohit emphasized, showcasing the aim of fostering more meaningful connections between students and educational content. OpenAI's commitment to the education sector is underscored by its recent hiring of Leah Belsky, former chief revenue officer of Coursera, as its first education general manager. Under her leadership, the company intends to propel its educational initiatives forward, aiming to broaden the reach of its AI-driven products in schools. Furthermore, the rollout of ChatGPT Edu -- an adaptation of the chatbot specifically designed for university settings -- exemplifies this aggressive strategy. The potential market for AI in education appears lucrative. According to Allied Market Research, projections indicate that this sector could reach approximately $88.2 billion by 2033. OpenAI's targeted efforts appear to align with these statistics as the company seeks to capitalize on burgeoning opportunities in educational technology. Some evidence of success is visible in existing educational AI applications, such as Khan Academy's Khanmigo, a chatbot that aids students with homework and test preparation. However, while these tools are intended to enhance learning, their effectiveness has met skepticism. For instance, Khanmigo has faced criticism for inaccuracies in basic tasks, such as mathematics, and sometimes fails to correct mistakes when prompted. ChatGPT Pro is introduced: Is it worth $200? Purohit contended that improvements in AI technology are underway. "All of our models keep getting better, and our goal is to help translate that into what works in learning and teaching," she stated, signaling confidence in the evolving capabilities of AI in educational contexts. Despite the enthusiasm from tech developers, educators express reservations. A Pew Research Center survey indicates that a quarter of public K-12 teachers believe AI tools do more harm than good in educational settings. Additionally, a recent study from the Rand Corporation and the Center on Reinventing Public Education revealed that only 18% of K-12 educators are incorporating AI into their classrooms.