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In an era when Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionising various aspects of life, education is another sector poised to benefit significantly from AI advancements. The Faculty of Education at Khon Kaen University (KKU) recognises the potential of AI to enhance educational services and has developed an innovative platform called “Khru Prom,” an AI-driven chatbot designed to efficiently meet the needs of students, lecturers, and users.
“Khru Prom,” short for EDKKU AI CHATBOT, is a tool for facilitating communication and access to information, streamlining operations and improving accuracy. The initiative began as a response to existing challenges, such as the high number of students and the shortage of staff available to provide timely information and support. Traditional services were limited to office hours, creating bottlenecks in information dissemination.
To address these issues, the Faculty of Education held brainstorming sessions with staff and administrators to analyse the problems and devise a solution. The result was the development of “Khru Prom” by a team led by Dr Samart Singma, a lecturer in the Department of Innovation Technology and Learning Science (ITALS).
The AI model was trained with comprehensive information related to the Faculty of Education, including the academic calendar, course details, timetables, and lecturer information.
Assoc Prof Issara Kanjug, PhD, Dean of the Faculty, emphasised the Faculty’s policy to integrate AI into its operations. Thanks to the contributions from personnel across all sections, the collaborative effort ensured that the chatbot’s information was accurate, complete, and up-to-date.
Dr Samart Singma highlighted the capabilities of “Khru Prom” as a smart assistant offering a range of services:
- Providing General Information: The chatbot offers details about the Faculty of Education, including programmes, academic calendars, course information, timetables, and lecturer details.
- Informing Users About Activities: It keeps users updated on various activities and events organised by the Faculty.
- Guidance on Applications and Registration: “Khru Prom” provides instructions related to programme applications, registration processes, and programme completion.
- Answering FAQs: It addresses frequently asked questions related to educational instruction.
- Facilitating Communication: The chatbot serves as a communication channel between the Faculty and students, lecturers, and personnel.
The EDKKU AI CHATBOT is multilingual, capable of conversing in Thai, English, and Chinese, making it accessible to a broader audience.
To ensure accuracy and comprehensiveness, training sessions were organised for personnel from all sections. These sessions focused on managing and updating the information within the chatbot’s system. By involving personnel from various departments, the team ensured that the information provided by “Khru Prom” was up-to-date and reliable.
The introduction of “Khru Prom” has brought several benefits to the Faculty of Education at KKU:
- Improved Efficiency
- Enhanced Accessibility
- Multilingual Support
- Accurate and Up-to-date Information
Although “Khru Prom” is still in its early stages, its current capabilities indicate a promising future.
The successful implementation of “Khru Prom” sets a benchmark for other educational institutions. By leveraging AI, KKU’s Faculty of Education is not only improving its services but also paving the way for digital transformation in the education sector. This initiative highlights the importance of adopting innovative technologies to meet the evolving needs of students and educators.
“Khru Prom” exemplifies how AI can be effectively integrated into educational services to address existing challenges and improve operational efficiency. The Faculty of Education at KKU has demonstrated a forward-thinking approach by developing this AI-driven chatbot, which is set to revolutionise the way information and support are provided to students, lecturers, and other users.
As “Khru Prom” continues to evolve, it promises to deliver even greater benefits, enhancing the overall educational experience and setting a precedent for other institutions to follow.
