The AI assistant was created by the company EdSights and will answer student questions through text
The University of Missouri’s new text-based AI assistant, Roary, sent out its first message to undergraduates Jan. 22.
Roary is a derivative of a chatbot created by the company EdSights, which has implemented similar programs in over 150 universities nationally. EdSights based the program on the framework of Dr. Vincent Tinto, an emeritus professor at Syracuse University. The chatbot is designed to consider student emotions such as belonging and self-efficacy when providing live feedback to students.
Roary is part of MU’s plan for student success, according to Jim Spain, MU’s Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies, in a statement to The Maneater. The National Institute for Student Success, based at Georgia State University, has endorsed the program with their student success audit.
MU began preparations for Roary in the summer of 2024, but only started public communication about him in October, with an added page to MU’s Winter Welcome canvas course. Additional communication to MU students and families continued through late in the semester. The chatbot was trained on an information database specifically created for MU, and was tested by members of MU’s Division of Information Technology, according to Spain.
Spain said that the data students share with Roary will not be rented or sold. Roary is FERPA compliant, but the chatbot will send segments of conversations with students to MU staff to “help students succeed,” MU said in an FAQ about the chatbot.
MU administration estimates that the university will spend less than $5 per undergraduate annually to maintain the chatbot.
Feedback on Roary can be submitted here.
Edited by Maya Dawson | mdawson@themaneater.com
Copyedited by Emma Short | eshort@themaneater.com
Edited by Emily Skidmore | eskidmore@themaneater.com