Digital generated image of hand with dark skin tone going through portal and touching robotic hand. Metaverse and Web3.0 concept.

September 10, 2024 — The Design Intelligence Lab is excited to announce that its project, Jill Watson, was selected for presentation at UNESCO’s Digital Learning Week in Paris, France, from 2 to 5 September 2024. On 4th September, DILab member Pratyusha Maiti showcased Jill Watson during a breakout session focused on system-level and teacher-facing generative AI tools, moderated by Mr. Saurabh Roy, Senior Project Officer for Teacher Development at UNESCO.

Jill Watson, a virtual teaching assistant powered by OpenAI’s ChatGPT 3.5 Turbo, is designed for higher education, technical/vocational training, and adult learners in online education. The presentation emphasized its ability to support self-directed learning and provide a strong teaching presence in online environments. Jill Watson integrates with Learning Management Systems (LMS) and uses retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) to deliver accurate, context-relevant responses based on course materials. Having been deployed across multiple courses and institutions, Jill Watson has helped foster student engagement, support independent learning, and enhance the overall educational experience for learners of diverse backgrounds.

At the event, discussions touched on aligning digital tools with climate-friendly educational practices, focusing on a “twin transition” toward greener, more human-centered learning environments. Topics also included global perspectives on AI regulations and the development of AI competency frameworks to promote critical thinking, inclusivity, and collaboration. Challenges such as connectivity gaps, cultural shifts in education, and the ethical implications of AI’s use in marginalized communities were also explored, aligning with UNESCO’s Gateways Initiative for equitable access to digital learning.

For more details, you can access the event program here.