University introduces AI chatbot to two compulsory psychology subjects

• Macquarie University in Australia has introduced an AI chatbot, named Virtual Peer, to guide students through exercises in two compulsory psychology subjects.
• The university maintains the tool complements rather than replaces teaching, although it now delivers main activities previously led by academics via Zoom tutorials.
• Students have expressed frustration at the move to AI-led learning, with one reporting feeling short-changed over the lack of human interaction.
• The rollout comes as other Australian institutions, such as the University of Sydney, also expand their use of educational AI systems.
• Academic Dr Alison Barnes warned that using piecemeal AI rollouts to cover workload crises could create damaging issues for higher education.

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Australian university replaces in-person psychology classes with AI chatbot for two subjects