Tecnológico de Monterrey pioneers AI-powered learning ecosystem

Tecnológico de Monterrey Pioneers AI-Powered Learning Ecosystem

Monterrey, Mexico – In a landmark development, Tecnológico de Monterrey has introduced an innovative AI-powered educational ecosystem, built on Azure OpenAI Service, aimed at revolutionising the learning experience for students and professors alike. This breakthrough initiative incorporates advanced artificial intelligence tools designed to personalise learning, enhance creativity among educators, and simplify administrative processes.

TECgpt: The Student’s Scholarly Companion

David Balleza, a third-year computer systems engineering student, has shared his positive experiences with TECgpt, the generative AI-powered platform. “It’s like having a scholar by your side you can interact with,” Balleza commented. TECgpt employs OpenAI’s GPT-4 technology and stands as one of the pioneering AI initiatives in Latin America, offering both academic and administrative assistance.

A notable instance involved Balleza facing difficulties with a complex algorithm problem, which was resolved with detailed explanations from the Academic TECbot—a 24/7 AI tutor programmed with customised educational content provided by professors.

Institutional Commitment to Innovation

Tecnológico de Monterrey has a rich history of embracing technological advancements. Located in Mexico’s industrial heart, the institution has continuously pushed the boundaries of innovation since the 1960s. Carles Abarca, Vice President for Digital Transformation, highlighted the importance of early adoption of AI. “We knew from the beginning that AI was a phenomenon of such magnitude that the sooner we jumped on board and designed our own journey, the better,” Abarca explained.

Currently, the AI systems can be accessed through the university’s intranet, available on desktops and mobile devices. This platform supports approximately 35,000 employees, including 11,000 professors, and 90,000 students across more than twenty campuses in Mexico.

Integration of Internal and External Data

The AI ecosystem’s features seamlessly combine internal university data with external information. Tools such as the natural language chat provide answers to queries about tuition, scholarships, and campus logistics, accessible to all students and staff. Functions such as text summarisation and image creation also incorporate external data sources.

Designed specifically for academic use, tools like Skill Studio, Academic TECbot, and Librarian TECbot, aid both educators and learners. Skill Studio assists professors in creating teaching materials, while Academic TECbot and Librarian TECbot function as custom-tailored tutors and library assistants respectively. The Librarian TECbot notably accesses over 60 million resources from the university library and other licensed content.

Future Prospects and Broader Implications

Since TECgpt’s launch approximately a year ago, it has drawn around 3,000 monthly users. The academic tools, currently in the beta testing phase, are expected to become fully available to all educators and around 5,000 students by early 2025. Both students and professors engaged in the pilot phase have reported enhanced comprehension of intricate subjects and the streamlining of repetitive academic activities.

Tecnológico de Monterrey’s AI-driven learning ecosystem marks a significant advancement in the integration of cutting-edge technology in education, setting an influential precedent for educational institutions across Latin America and globally.

Source: Noah Wire Services