San Diego Researchers Advance AI Tutor Tool for Higher Education
Researchers at UC San Diego have developed an AI tutor currently in a pilot phase, with new funding from the State of California set to expand its use across universities and community colleges in San Diego County. This initiative aims to offer a more effective AI tutoring solution by integrating course-specific materials and teaching objectives, addressing limitations found in general AI chatbots.
Why a New AI Tutor?
Popular AI chatbots like ChatGPT help students with homework and studying but often lack access to instructors’ course materials and teaching goals. These tools sometimes provide direct answers instead of guiding students through the learning process. To address this, a team of San Diego researchers received a $1.5 million grant to develop and deploy an AI tutor that better supports both students and educators.
Project Goals and Implementation
- Deploy the AI tutor in eight foundational courses at higher education institutions throughout San Diego County
- Assess the tutor’s effectiveness in improving student learning outcomes
- Develop AI literacy courses and workshops for faculty members
With this funding, thousands of students and dozens of faculty will gain access to the AI tutor alongside traditional support from teaching assistants and tutors. The multidisciplinary team includes AI engineers, computer scientists, cognitive psychologists, biologists, and educators, collaborating across UC San Diego, San Diego State University, Palomar College, Cal State San Marcos, and San Diego City College.
How the AI Tutor Works Differently
Unlike commercial AI tutors, this system is customized to reflect each instructor’s teaching philosophy and course content. It leverages videos, podcasts, homework schedules, and session-specific lessons to guide students without simply providing answers. The AI tutor is built on large language models from OpenAI and Anthropic, with additional software safeguards to ensure it supports learning rather than replacing student effort.
Integration in Courses and Evaluation
Starting in Fall 2025, the AI tutor will be integrated into an upper-division genetics course and an introductory programming class at UC San Diego. Earlier pilot tests in nano engineering and computer programming courses received positive student feedback. With the new grant, researchers will conduct detailed assessments to measure the AI tutor’s impact on learning and student experiences.
Faculty member Gena Sbeglia from San Diego State University will lead efforts to develop a rigorous evaluation plan. This academic year, baseline data on student performance in targeted courses will be collected to benchmark future improvements once the AI tutor is deployed.
Supporting Faculty and Students
The project also focuses on creating AI literacy courses for faculty and students, preparing them to work effectively with AI tools in education. UC San Diego’s Jacobs School of Engineering will lead the development of these courses, expected to launch in spring 2026. At Palomar College, faculty will receive training to integrate AI tools thoughtfully into their teaching.
Importantly, the AI tutor is intended to complement, not replace, instructors and teaching assistants. It provides students with 24/7 support while enabling educators to identify and focus on students who need the most help.
Looking Ahead
Next academic year, AI tutors will be deployed in foundational computer science and biology courses across participating institutions. For example, UC San Diego will use the tutor in a Python programming course and an introductory genetics class, while San Diego State University will incorporate it into an introductory biology course.
This initiative exemplifies a practical approach to integrating AI into education, aiming to improve learning outcomes and provide faculty with effective, vetted AI tools.
For educators interested in AI tools and related training, resources are available at Complete AI Training.
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