Students indifferent to Massey’s new AI assistant, Cogniti
An optional AI assistant is being trialed in many degrees — and it seems students will take the opt out, preferring to maintain student to teacher relationships.
Developed by the University of Sydney, Cogniti is designed to be trained by lecturers and assist students by answering quick questions about course content or assessments.
Journalism student Thomas Bishop said he’d still prefer to get information directly from tutors and professors, even with an AI assistant available.
“I understand that it could be helpful with mitigating that problem of too many people talking to them at once, but I do prefer that one on one person contact,” Bishop said.
The tool is already in use at more than 30 institutions across Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore, and has been adopted by over 800 educators at the University of Sydney.
However, provost professor Giselle Byrnes said Cogniti will give staff more time with students, as the AI will handle simple enquiries.
She said the tool has been designed to support lecturers assist students outside of teaching hours, answering frequently asked questions.
“The university is committed to ensuring that any use of AI in education is ethical, responsible and transparent, and focused on enhancing, not diminishing, the vital role of educators.”
Takunda Mabonga, a Welly student representative, was looking forward to using Cogniti as someone who already uses ChatGPT, Visit AI, and Grammarly.
Mabonga said, “I think AI use mixed with learning is actually quite crucial.”
He didn’t believe the AI assistant would diminish lecturers’ skills. “Nothing can replace the human element of a lecturer, no matter how good AI gets. Being able to form that relationship with your lecturer is actually important.”
Photography student, Melody Husband said she’s only used AI once and wouldn’t be interested in having it implemented in her coursework.
“I don’t want someone else doing my work for me,” Husband said.
“For us creatives, you should be drawing from your own creative inspiration.”
Grace Haegle, a Communications student, said she avoids AI whenever possible.
“I use it if I have to, but I usually prefer to stay away from it — I don’t like it,” she said.
Fashion major Sian Hughes shared a similar view, “I feel like what there is in the world is enough.”
Courses which the AI-powered assistant tool will be used in:
Advance HE Senior Fellow course pathway
159.361 Advanced games programming
118.786 Applied Veterinary Epidemiology
118.791 Special topic
127.378 Property economics and planning
125.788 Big data in finance and banking
179792 Organisations, leadership and social work
234.214 Exercise prescription
218.717 Research methods in the built environment
168733 Physiology and Pathophysiology