AI Chatbots in Education: Challenges and Opportunities

With the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI), machine-learning (ML), and chatbot technologies, the field of education has been transformed drastically. The latest advancements in AI chatbots (such as ChatGPT) have proven to offer several benefits for students and educators. However, these bene...

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Main Authors: Narius Farhad Davar, M. Ali Akber Dewan, Xiaokun Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Information
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2078-2489/16/3/235
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author Narius Farhad Davar
M. Ali Akber Dewan
Xiaokun Zhang
author_facet Narius Farhad Davar
M. Ali Akber Dewan
Xiaokun Zhang
author_sort Narius Farhad Davar
collection DOAJ
description With the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI), machine-learning (ML), and chatbot technologies, the field of education has been transformed drastically. The latest advancements in AI chatbots (such as ChatGPT) have proven to offer several benefits for students and educators. However, these benefits also come with inherent challenges, that can impede students’ learning and create hurdles for educators. The study aims to explore the benefits and challenges of AI chatbots in educational settings, with the goal of identifying how they can address existing barriers to learning. The paper begins by outlining the historical evolution of chatbots along with key elements that encompass the architecture of an AI chatbot. The paper then delves into the challenges and limitations associated with the integration of AI chatbots into education. The research findings from this narrative review reveal several benefits of using AI chatbots in education. AI chatbots like ChatGPT can function as virtual tutoring assistants, fostering an adaptive learning environment by aiding students with various learning activities, such as learning programming languages and foreign languages, understanding complex concepts, assisting with research activities, and providing real-time feedback. Educators can leverage such chatbots to create course content, generate assessments, evaluate student performance, and utilize them for data analysis and research. However, this technology presents significant challenges concerning data security and privacy. Additionally, ethical concerns regarding academic integrity and reliance on technology are some of the key challenges. Ultimately, AI chatbots offer endless opportunities by fostering a dynamic and interactive learning environment. However, to help students and teachers maximize the potential of this robust technology, it is essential to understand the risks, benefits, and ethical use of AI chatbots in education.
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spelling doaj-art-fd78648ea5b0470fbfa32ccc3d48b8702025-08-20T02:11:24ZengMDPI AGInformation2078-24892025-03-0116323510.3390/info16030235AI Chatbots in Education: Challenges and OpportunitiesNarius Farhad Davar0M. Ali Akber Dewan1Xiaokun Zhang2School of Computing and Information Systems, Faculty of Science and Technology, Athabasca University, Alberta, AB T9S 3A3, CanadaSchool of Computing and Information Systems, Faculty of Science and Technology, Athabasca University, Alberta, AB T9S 3A3, CanadaSchool of Computing and Information Systems, Faculty of Science and Technology, Athabasca University, Alberta, AB T9S 3A3, CanadaWith the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI), machine-learning (ML), and chatbot technologies, the field of education has been transformed drastically. The latest advancements in AI chatbots (such as ChatGPT) have proven to offer several benefits for students and educators. However, these benefits also come with inherent challenges, that can impede students’ learning and create hurdles for educators. The study aims to explore the benefits and challenges of AI chatbots in educational settings, with the goal of identifying how they can address existing barriers to learning. The paper begins by outlining the historical evolution of chatbots along with key elements that encompass the architecture of an AI chatbot. The paper then delves into the challenges and limitations associated with the integration of AI chatbots into education. The research findings from this narrative review reveal several benefits of using AI chatbots in education. AI chatbots like ChatGPT can function as virtual tutoring assistants, fostering an adaptive learning environment by aiding students with various learning activities, such as learning programming languages and foreign languages, understanding complex concepts, assisting with research activities, and providing real-time feedback. Educators can leverage such chatbots to create course content, generate assessments, evaluate student performance, and utilize them for data analysis and research. However, this technology presents significant challenges concerning data security and privacy. Additionally, ethical concerns regarding academic integrity and reliance on technology are some of the key challenges. Ultimately, AI chatbots offer endless opportunities by fostering a dynamic and interactive learning environment. However, to help students and teachers maximize the potential of this robust technology, it is essential to understand the risks, benefits, and ethical use of AI chatbots in education.https://www.mdpi.com/2078-2489/16/3/235AI chatbotsgenerative AIChatGPTchatbots in educationnatural language processinglarge language models
spellingShingle Narius Farhad Davar
M. Ali Akber Dewan
Xiaokun Zhang
AI Chatbots in Education: Challenges and Opportunities
Information
AI chatbots
generative AI
ChatGPT
chatbots in education
natural language processing
large language models
title AI Chatbots in Education: Challenges and Opportunities
title_full AI Chatbots in Education: Challenges and Opportunities
title_fullStr AI Chatbots in Education: Challenges and Opportunities
title_full_unstemmed AI Chatbots in Education: Challenges and Opportunities
title_short AI Chatbots in Education: Challenges and Opportunities
title_sort ai chatbots in education challenges and opportunities
topic AI chatbots
generative AI
ChatGPT
chatbots in education
natural language processing
large language models
url https://www.mdpi.com/2078-2489/16/3/235
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