About Chaohua
I am currently the managing director at the AI Institute for Adult Learning and Online Education (AI-ALOE), where I manage day-to-day operations while dreaming up innovative ways to blend AI and education. Before joining AI-ALOE, I worked at Georgia Tech’s Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) on various learning and technology initiatives. This year marks my 20th anniversary at Georgia Tech—a milestone that reminds me of the incredible evolution and impact of technology in education. I’m thrilled to be part of a field that continues to transform how we teach and learn.
A Journey Within AI-ALOE
My background is in instructional technology, and over the years, I’ve focused on driving innovation by integrating learning technologies, pioneering innovative learning designs, and conducting rigorous educational research. In 2024, I authored Designing Socially Dynamic Digital Learning, a book that encapsulates many of these experiences.
My first significant encounter with AI-enhanced learning came in 2015 when I collaborated with Drs. Ashok Goel and David Joyner from the College of Computing on a research project in their online course, Knowledge-Based Artificial Intelligence. The course incorporated intelligent tutors into video-based learning to enhance student engagement. That project led to a well-cited paper on designing and developing videos for online learning. Though my understanding of AI was modest at the time, the experience sparked a journey of growth and learning.
By 2020, I had gained more insights into AI in education through another project led by Dr. Goel. This work culminated in a successful National Science Foundation proposal, paving the way for the establishment of AI-ALOE in summer 2021. I joined as its first full-time employee, helping build and expand the institute from the ground up.
Today, as managing director, I oversee research operations, coordinate communication across teams, and collaborate with leadership on strategic planning. I also direct initiatives such as our teaching fellowship program, launched last year, and am involved in planning an instructional design fellowship to foster collaboration between researchers, teaching fellows, and instructional designers. As the institute moves into its fourth year, I’m excited to explore the evolving intersection of AI and education.
Beyond the Office
When I’m not wrangling tech and talking AI, you’ll find me in the community garden near my neighborhood (a tech-savvy green thumb, if you will), experimenting with new recipes using fresh veggies, hitting the gym to balance out screen time, or enjoying weekend road trips to connect with nature.
