SFU Professor Introduces 3D AI Sidekick to Teach Ethics and History of Artificial Intelligence

SFU Introduces 3D AI Teaching Sidekick in First-Year Course

Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, B.C., is adding a new kind of assistant to its classrooms. Meet Kia, an expressive 3-D digital persona created to support teaching in a first-year course on AI history and ethics.

Kia doesn’t have academic credentials or classroom experience. Instead, she brings real-time facial expressions, lip-syncing, and emotive body language to interact with students. Her role is to provide answers, share insights, and spark discussions alongside professor Steve DiPaola.

What Kia Brings to the Classroom

Designed specifically for students new to artificial intelligence, Kia offers a unique way to engage with the subject. She speaks with a British accent and represents a short-haired Black female figure. While she serves as a collaborator during lectures, Kia won’t replace human teaching assistants or grade assignments.

Professor DiPaola sees Kia as a way to "anthropomorphize" AI—helping students see what AI really is and what it isn’t. When questions about AI come up, the class can turn to Kia for answers or even debate her, making the learning experience more interactive.

Perspectives from Experts

• Alan Mackworth, professor emeritus at the University of British Columbia, notes that anthropomorphizing AI can be controversial. He expects Kia will make mistakes, sometimes funny ones, but recognizes the educational value in this approach.
• Sarah Eaton, education professor at the University of Calgary, highlights potential ethical concerns. She points out that AI assistants might raise questions about academic labor and cost-saving measures in schools. Still, she acknowledges that AI sidekicks like Kia signal the direction classrooms are headed.

Eaton adds, "In the future, we will probably see many more AI assistants working alongside human educators to support teaching and offer personalized learning experiences."

Looking Ahead

Kia’s first day in the classroom is September 3. Her presence marks a new step in integrating AI technology directly into education, providing students with a fresh, interactive way to explore the ethical challenges and history of AI.

For educators interested in expanding their knowledge of AI and its applications in teaching, exploring latest AI courses can be a practical next step.