Sakeina Syed | Contributor
Featured Image: York students now have access to cutting-edge AI technology that can help them with their studies and other academic needs. | Courtesy of yFile
On Tuesday, January 28, students from Glendon, Lassonde, and the School of Arts, Media, Performance and Design were invited to access York’s Student Virtual Assistant.
This new tool is an online support service available 24/7 which answers common questions and connects users with a broad variety of student resources.
Powered by AI technology, the virtual assistant has a texting-like interface that students can communicate with in an easily accessible manner. It was created by York in partnership with IBM Canada, with over 100 York students involved in tailoring the assistant to provide better solutions for real-life issues.
“This is a transformative time for learning,” said Lisa Philipps, York’s provost and vice-president academic, in a statement released at the time of the program’s inception.
“York is proud to be collaborating with a global tech industry leader like IBM to connect our students immediately to the right network of people and supports to help them meet their goals.”
Notably, this is the first time IBM’s AI technology has been implemented this way at a Canadian university.
The virtual assistant, which is accessed through York’s Moodle, will be able to aid students with a myriad of topics and concerns, including referrals to academic advising, registration and financial services, and even help connect students to on-campus mental health services. Many of the common questions it can answer could help students bypass a trip to Student Services or time spent on hold waiting for phone assistance.
For York students, technology like this cannot come soon enough. Fahima Nakhuda, a first-year health management student, can see this tool being of great benefit to her and her classmates.
“I have had to get a signature on a document and had to wait in line at the Bennett Center for two hours. I feel like a virtual assistant would significantly cut down the line for those of us that physically need something done versus those that just have questions,” says Nakhuda.
The service will also be useful at times when students don’t know which office or centre to find the help they need. The virtual assistant is built to provide streamlined, program-specific help, and to put students directly in touch with relevant in-person support.
“I know of students in my program who didn’t even know about program requirements for their degrees,” continues Nakhuda.
“Asking a few questions is difficult when you have to consider standing in line for a few hours to get your answers. I believe virtual assistance will really help students be more engaged with their studies.”
For students from other faculties who are eager to get their hands on this helpful new innovation, there isn’t too long to wait. The virtual assistant will be available in eight faculties by March 2020, with plans for further expansion to Schulich and Osgoode.
