Announcements - Artificial Intelligence - new product releases - Online Learning

Announcing our new AI chatbot: On-demand learning guidance made easy

We’re really excited to announce the launch of Udacity’s new AI chatbot, now available in beta! It’s powered by OpenAI and designed to enhance your learning experience.

We understand the challenges that learners face when it comes to studying and completing real world projects online. A common challenge is the lack of personalized support and guidance when learners need it most: in the flow of learning and working through solutions to tough problems.

One of the most exciting things about our chatbot is that it is powered by AI (GPT-4 Turbo, to be exact), which means it’s using some of the latest technology AI has to offer. But even more importantly, it’s not limited by the number of learners it can support. With AI, we created an intelligent virtual tutor that can handle thousands of interactions at once, providing personalized feedback and guidance to each learner. 

Learners can get the support they need whenever they need it; think of the AI chatbot as a real-time complement to our human mentors, who are available throughout the learner’s journey to provide valuable human feedback and support. With AI and our global mentor network combined, it’s a winning combination for Udacity learners worldwide.

AI has the potential to revolutionize the way we deliver education and support learners, and we’re thrilled to be at the forefront of this change.

How to accelerate your learning with Udacity’s AI chatbot

Here are just a few of the ways you can use the chatbot to improve your learning experience:

1. Summarize concepts

Ask the bot to summarize key concepts for quick reference later in your learning journey. Concept summaries can help you better understand complex material and retain information more effectively. Take this approach if you struggle with technical jargon or need a quick refresher on a specific topic while you’re working through our hands-on projects.

2. Pose deeper questions

Ask the bot for definitions, examples, and alternative explanations so you can deepen your understanding of a given topic. By exploring deeper questions, you can connect the dots between different concepts and get additional support in topic areas that are harder to grasp, resulting in a more comprehensive understanding of the material (not to mention better project completion and graduation rates).

3. Translate to another language

Ask the bot to translate specific words, phrases, exercises, and quizzes to a language you’re more familiar with. The chatbot’s ability to translate material to other languages is a game-changer for non-native English speakers studying in their second language. If you’ve ever felt limited by a language barrier, you can now access and understand course materials more easily, regardless of your native language.

4. Fix errors in your code

If you’re taking a Udacity course or Nanodegree program that requires coding, ask the bot for help debugging errors in your code or to suggest improvements. The chatbot’s ability to fix errors in coding exercises is a significant advantage, particularly helpful if you are new to programming and may feel discouraged by error messages or if you struggle with finding and fixing bugs. By receiving immediate feedback and corrections, you can learn how to code more efficiently and effectively, ultimately improving your confidence and progress.

We’ve only just started. The possibilities are endless and we can’t wait to see how learners like you use this tool to take their skills to new heights. In a future blog post, we’ll share more tips and tricks, including more strategies to enhance learning with the power of AI.

Activating the AI chatbot

We believe AI will improve online education unlike any other innovation, and we’re excited to see how it can help you succeed on your learning journey. Here’s how to start using the chatbot:

  1. Log into your account
  2. Go to the classroom and look for the Udacity icon in lower right corner of your screen
  3. Start a conversation – Click on the icon to start a conversation with the chatbot. You can ask any question you have about the course material and the chatbot will provide an instant response.

The AI chatbot is a powerful tool that significantly advances our commitment to providing the best possible learning experience. It’s one of many resources we’re working on to support learners who are looking to stay on track and achieve their upskilling goals. 

If you’re new to Udacity, explore our programs or get started here. If you’re already a member, sign in to continue learning.

Disclaimer

Learners should be aware that the chatbot may not always fully understand the users intent, since it is relying on NLP (natural language processing). Learners should review the output and the advice provided by the chatbot as the bot may not have all the context and information about the learner.