Class Technologies is bringing ChatGPT to the classroom

Homegrown edtech darling Class Technologies put another new spin on the virtual classroom with a just-announced tool that incorporates the past year’s most-discussed AI chatbot.

The AI Teaching Assistant (or AI TA, for short) is an AI-based learning assistant built with ChatGPT API. The AI TA lets students ask questions and receive answers based on a classroom lesson; highlight portions of a spoken text transcript, as well as have the TA describe the highlighted portions with additional details; and create a study guide based on curricula. According to a Monday statement from Class, which former Blackboard CEO Michael Chasen founded in 2020, it’s the first ChatGPT-based classroom assistant. It builds on the company’s existing offerings, which let teachers complete admin tasks like taking attendance, proctoring exams and talking one-on-one with students through Zoom.

With the AI TA, Chasen said he hopes that students will be more engaged and thus create a better virtual learning environment.

“We acknowledge at Class that AI is an emerging technology and there is still a lot that there is to learn and explore,” Chasen told Technical.ly in an email. “While there is serious work to be done, the power of AI has immense potential and must be explored to empower students and assist teachers seeking to drive better learning outcomes for all.”

Class will release the AI TA later this year in Beta mode, and schools and instructors will be able to turn it on or off as they desire. Class also said it will work with educators to develop best practices for the technology and general AI use in the classroom. It also has committed to remaining compliant with data privacy laws

This addition of AI follows strong growth since Class’ founding during the height of the pandemic. In 2021, the company raised $105 million in a Series B led by Softbank, bringing the company’s total funding to $160 million and giving it a $805 million valuation.