Universities adopt AI counsellors to support student needs

Several Chinese universities have recently launched AI-powered counsellors, according to China Youth Daily, enabling students to instantly receive answers with just a few taps on their phones. These 24/7 digital assistants, nicknamed ‘electronic colleagues’ by their human counterparts, are transforming student services, writes Shen Sheng for Global Times.

At Beijing Jiaotong University, an AI counsellor recently sent an in-app survey to undergraduate student Kong Lingyan, asking: “Would you consider working in western China?” The message was sent by Han Baitao, deputy secretary of the Party Committee of the School of Electronic and Information Engineering, through the AI platform, said the China Youth Daily. According to the report, the survey received over 500 views within just 30 minutes, and 254 students submitted detailed responses. Based on these responses, Han used the AI system to distribute a more targeted questionnaire to 1,295 students. The system successfully identified 32 students who expressed a clear interest in working or volunteering in western regions of China.

At the same time, students with other needs were also flagged and provided with personalised guidance. For instance, students interested in tech R&D received case studies on how eastern high-tech enterprises are contributing to environmental restoration efforts in western China, while those focused on urban development insights into central and western Chinese cities aligned with the Belt and Road Initiative.
Full report on the Global Times site