Lessons Learned from the World Universities in Exploiting the Conversational Intelligent Robots (Chatbots)

Authors
sajedeh olyaee 1 ΒΆ
ghola,m ali montazer 2
kamand kalashi 1
sajjad saed 1
1 MSc. Student in Information Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
2 Professor of Information Engineering Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
10.61838/KMAN.IRPHE.32.1.2
Abstract
Artificial intelligence technology has created new opportunities for aligning educational systems with technological advancements to enhance and deepen learning. A prominent example of this is the use of "interactive conversational intelligent robots" or " Chatbots." These tools aim to engage with students in a conversational manner, establishing a friendly and consultative interaction. They assist students in solving academic problems, clarifying scientific ambiguities, providing social-cultural guidance, and offering academic and career counseling. Due to these capabilities, Chatbots have rapidly gained attention within academic environments despite their relatively short existence, and are increasingly utilized in universities. This paper provides an overview of the functions of conversational intelligent robots, focusing on their primary applications in higher education systems. It also examines the experiences of various universities around the world in adopting this technology. By identifying the opportunities arising from AI-enabled tools, this study offers policy and practical recommendations for effectively leveraging this technology in Iranian universities.
Keywords
Artificial Intelligence
Conversational Intelligent Robots (Chatbots)
Intelligent E-Learning
Large Language Model
University
Iran.
Subjects

References

Adamopoulou, E., & Moussiades, L. (2020). Chatbots: History, technology, and applications. Machine Learning with Applications, 2, 100006. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mlwa.2020.100006
Aghazadeh, A. (2017). Comparative education. SAMT.
Akinwalere, S. N., & Ivanov, V. (2022). Artificial intelligence in higher education: Challenges and opportunities. Border Crossing, 12(1), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.33182/bc.v12i1.2015
Ali, A., & Noman, A. (2024). AI-driven education: Opportunities, challenges, and ethical considerations
Unpublished manuscript. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.33569.17769
Atashak, M. (2023). Theoretical and applied principles of electronic learning. Quarterly Journal of Research and Planning in Higher Education, 13(1), 135-156. https://journal.irphe.ac.ir/article_702556_f0c46aef0706d4ed0efa3944df3c9f26.pdf?lang=en
Brady, H. G., Jr. (1969). A comparative analysis of selected program planning procedures for adult educational activities as perceived by adult educators and urban planners in Florida
Doctoral dissertation. https://search.proquest.com/openview/35606843083b37aaf4435dab81824ef3/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y
Brixen, P. A. (2024). Dtu opens up for the use of artificial intelligence in teaching. https://www.dtu.dk/english/newsarchive/2024/01/dtu-opens-up-for-the-use-of-artificial-intelligence-in-teaching
Chalmers, U. o. T. (2023). Regulations for the use of AI tools in thesis work. https://www.chalmers.se/en/education/your-studies/masters-and-bachelors-thesis/regulations-for-the-use-of-ai-tools/
Chatterjee, S., & Bhattacharjee, K. K. (2020). Adoption of artificial intelligence in higher education: A quantitative analysis using structural equation modelling. Education and Information Technologies, 25(5), 3443-3463. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-020-10159-7
Chegni, H., Zangeneh, H., & Mohammadi, S. (2025). Improving higher education: Investigating the impact of artificial intelligence on instruction experiences for students. Quarterly Journal of Research and Planning in Higher Education. https://doi.org/10.22034/irphe.2025.2022005.1141
Chmielecki, P. (2022). University in face of AI - An introduction to the analysis. Annales Universitatis Paedagogicae Cracoviensis. Studia de Cultura, 14(1), 39-46. https://doi.org/10.24917/20837275.14.1.3
Delavar, A. (2007). Educational and psychological research. Virayesh Publication Institute.
Fokina, M. (2023). 11 amazing chatbots statistics and trends you need to know in 2020. https://www.tidio.com/blog/chatbot-statistics/
Forskning.se. (2022). AI chat hits with a bang - that's how smart it is. https://www.forskning.se/2022/12/16/ai-chatt-slar-igenom-med-dunder-och-brak-sa-smart-ar-den/
Ganesan, M., Deepika, C., Harievashini, B., & Lokhratchana, B. (2020). A survey on chatbots using artificial intelligence
In 2020 International Conference on System, Computation, Automation and Networking (ICSCAN).
Ghafari, G. (2011). Analysis of Social Capital Trends after Iran's Islamic Revolution. Journal of Iranian Social Studies, 3(4), 76-92. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/376583910_Analysis_of_Social_Capital_Trends_after_Iran's_Islamic_Revolution
Goisman, M. (2024). Quacking into computer programming. https://seas.harvard.edu/news/2024/01/quacking-computer-programming
Guadalupe, A., Jackeline, G., Pedro, J., Quispe, H., Antonio, M., Yanowsky, G., Ricardo, H., Marina, R., & Victor, H. (2023). Effect of Chat GPT on the digitized learning process of university students. Journal of Namibian Studies, 33, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.59670/jns.v33i.411
Guo, L. (2021). Tsinghua launches global hybrid classroom certificate programs. https://www.tsinghua.edu.cn/kyzten/info/1002/1493.htm
Hale, E. (2023). China wants AI to rival ChatGPT. Censorship makes that tricky. https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2023/3/2/china-wants-to-copy-chatgpts-success-censorship-makes-it-tricky
Harry, A., & Sayudin, S. (2023). Role of AI in education. Interdisciplinary Journal and Humanity (INJURITY), 2(3), 260-268. https://doi.org/10.58631/injurity.v2i3.52
Hasanein, A., Sobaih, A., & Elshaer, I. (2024). Examining Google Gemini's acceptance and usage in higher education. Journal of Applied Learning and Teaching, 7(2). https://search.informit.org/doi/abs/10.3316/informit.T2025091800012891397238008
He, A. (2024). In the global AI chips race, China is playing catch-up. https://www.cigionline.org/articles/in-the-global-ai-chips-race-china-is-playing-catch-up/
Imran, M., & Almusharraf, N. (2024). Google Gemini as a next generation AI educational tool: A review of emerging educational technology. Smart Learning Environments, 11(1), 22. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40561-024-00310-z
MacGregor, K. (2023). New UK university principles promote AI literacy and integrity. https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20230704155107330
Michael, C., Meller, L., Wilson, K., Parikh, A. O., McCoy, A., Chang, J., Rasika, S., Gupta, S., & Zhang-Nunes, S. (2023). Bias and inaccuracy in AI chatbot ophthalmologist recommendations. Cureus. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.45911
Michel-Villarreal, R., Vilalta-Perdomo, E., Salinas-Navarro, D. E., Thierry-Aguilera, R., & Gerardou, F. S. (2023). Challenges and opportunities of generative AI for higher education as explained by ChatGPT. Education Sciences, 13(9), 856. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13090856
Mit. (2023). Impact.AI: K-12 AI literacy. https://www.media.mit.edu/projects/impact-ai-k-12/overview/
Myklebust, J. P. (2023). Universities adjust to ChatGPT, but the 'real AI' lies ahead. https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20230301105802395
New York Times. (2023). Alarmed by A.I. chatbots, universities start revamping how they teach. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/16/technology/chatgpt-artificial-intelligence-universities.html
Oxford. (2022). Oxford integrates the 'new educational curriculum' of the 2026-2030 period. https://www.ctl.ox.ac.uk/oxford-integrates-the-new-educational-curriculum-of-the-2026-2030-period
Rahman, M. M., & Watanobe, Y. (2023). ChatGPT for education and research: Opportunities, threats, and strategies. Applied Sciences, 13(9), 5783. https://doi.org/10.3390/app13095783
Ray, P. P. (2023). ChatGPT: A comprehensive review on background, applications, key challenges, bias, ethics, limitations and future scope. Internet of Things and Cyber-Physical Systems, 3(1), 121-154. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iotcps.2023.04.003
Rezaev, A. V., & Tregubova, N. D. (2023). ChatGPT and AI in the universities: An introduction to the near future. Vysshee obrazovanie v Rossii = Higher Education in Russia, 32(6), 19-37. https://doi.org/10.31992/0869-3617-2023-32-6-19-37
Romero-Rodríguez, J. M., Ramírez-Montoya, M. S., Buenestado-Fernández, M., & Lara-Lara, F. (2023). Use of ChatGPT at university as a tool for complex thinking: Students' perceived usefulness. Journal of New Approaches in Educational Research, 12(2), 323-339. https://doi.org/10.7821/naer.2023.7.1458
Saadati, M. R., Izadian, F., & Bani Amerian, S. (2016). The philosophy of education from the perspective of some Islamic scholars
In First International Conference on Psychology and Educational Sciences.
Sheehan, M. (2023). China's AI regulations and how they get made. https://carnegieendowment.org/research/2023/07/chinas-ai-regulations-and-how-they-get-made?lang=en
Stanford University. (2023). Course policies on generative AI use. https://tlhub.stanford.edu/docs/course-policies-on-generative-ai-use/
Stoker-Walker, C. (2024). AI chatbots have thoroughly infiltrated scientific publishing. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/chatbots-have-thoroughly-infiltrated-scientific-publishing/
Sullivan, M., Kelly, A., & McLaughlan, P. (2023). ChatGPT in higher education: Considerations for academic integrity and student learning. https://search.informit.org/doi/abs/10.3316/informit.T2025102700000291759377835
Thompson, D. (2023). 'Embrace AI, don't run from it in fear,' universities told. https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20230620122959625
Tsinghua. (2023). A big new player in large-scale natural-language AI. https://www.tsinghua.edu.cn/en/info/1420/10473.htm
University of Bergen. (2023). Guidance on the use of chat robots at the Faculty of Social Sciences. https://uib.no/en/svf/164400/guidance-use-chat-robots-faculty-social-sciences
University of Helsinki. (2023). Artificial intelligence is reshaping teaching and studying - First university guidelines on the use of AI released. https://www.helsinki.fi/en/news/university/artificial-intelligence-reshaping-teaching-and-studying-first-university-guidelines-use-ai-released
Williams, R. (2020). RAISE AI Playground. https://www.media.mit.edu/posts/ai-blocks/
Xiao, P., Chen, Y., & Bao, W. (2023). Waiting, banning, and embracing: An empirical analysis of adapting policies for generative AI in higher education. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4458269
Yang, Z. (2023). Chinese ChatGPT alternatives just got approved for the general public. https://www.technologyreview.com/2023/08/30/1078714/chinese-chatgpt-ernie-government-approval/
 

  • Receive Date 03 February 2025
  • Revise Date 31 May 2025
  • Accept Date 30 August 2025
  • Publish Date 01 March 2026