University of Auckland researchers Shahper Richter, Inna Piven, and Patrick Dodd recently conducted an experiment to explore student preferences for AI chatbot personalities in self-directed learning. Richter, Piven, and Dodd designed two AI chatbots—the warm and encouraging “Jack” and the clear and direct “John”—that could assist university students with self-directed learning tasks. Students demonstrated distinct preferences: Some, who valued precision and directness in their studies, preferred Jack, while others found John’s more approachable and encouraging style to be helpful when exploring difficult topics. The researchers conclude by discussing the nuances of using AI in the classroom and outlining opportunities to offer more personalized learning experiences using tailored AI tools.
