Call to Teachers: Participate in the TutorBot Pilot on EdStem
© 2025 EPFL
EPFL is inviting instructors to participate in the next phase of a pilot project using AI-based tutors (TutorBots) within EdStem (EdDiscussion) forums. The project aims to support teaching teams by providing automated, course-aware responses to student questions directly in discussion forums.
TutorBots have already been deployed in 12 EPFL courses, with very positive feedback from participating instructors. These early experiences have helped refine the system and confirm its potential to enhance student support while remaining aligned with course content and teaching practices.
What are TutorBots?
TutorBots are AI-based assistants integrated into EdStem discussion forums. They generate answers based on the official course materials provided by the teaching team, allowing students to ask questions in a course-specific context (e.g., referencing a specific exercise or chapter). All interactions are public, and teaching teams can review and endorse TutorBot responses.
The system operates entirely on EPFL’s RCP infrastructure, ensuring a high level of data security and that no personal data is shared outside the institution.
Why participate?
Students increasingly use general-purpose AI tools without guidance or alignment with course objectives. TutorBots offer a safer and more controlled alternative that:
- Uses course documents to reduce errors and improve relevance
- Integrates directly into existing EdStem forums
- Allows teaching teams to supervise and validate AI-generated responses
Spring Semester 2026: Join the Pilot
The next phase of the pilot will run during the upcoming spring semester. Teachers interested in deploying a TutorBot in one or more of their EdStem forums are encouraged to express their interest.
To participate, instructors will be asked to provide:
- The course code(s) concerned
- The corresponding Moodle page(s)
As the pilot is still limited in scope, the number of available places will initially be restricted, with plans to expand capacity over time. Further details on the implementation and configuration process will be shared in January, along with an invitation to a short information and onboarding session.
For more information about the project, please visit:
https://www.epfl.ch/education/educational-initiatives/cede/providing-feedback/ai-tutors/
If you are interested in participating or would like additional information, please contact us at: [email protected]