All in a day's work for AI, from the classroom to studio
The Straits Times|March 11, 2024
From answering student queries to creating design concepts, Al is already changing nature of jobs here
Cheow Sue-Ann and Tay Hong Yi
All in a day's work for AI, from the classroom to studio

Assistant Professor Leonard Ng's new teaching assistant, Leodar, is a hard worker.

Leodar has been answering student queries at all hours since January, be they administrative questions such as when examinations are held or an explanation of concepts taught in class.

"Aiyoh, you ask one very solid question lah," Leodar said, when posed a question on course content.

Do not be fooled by Leodar's sassy Singlish-inflected replies - it is a chatbot powered by generative artificial intelligence (AI).

It is among the first customised chatbots to be rolled out to students in Singapore, and an example of how AI is already changing the nature of jobs here.

Leodar was created to help the students taking the data science and AI class that Prof Ng teaches at Nanyang Technological University's (NTU) School of Materials Science and Engineering, alongside Associate Professor Kedar Hippagaonkar.

"Leodar reduces the administrative workload of the professors and teaching assistants, so they can focus more on actually developing teaching content and conducting research," said Prof Ng, 37.

"With Leodar answering common questions, instructors receive much fewer student consultations now, so we can focus on developing and refining the classes and curriculum." While Leodar's underlying large language model is Claude, a product of AI start-up Anthropic, Prof Ng said the chatbot was further trained over 3 months before launch on course materials and administrative details to provide class-specific answers.

Leodar was developed and tested by Prof Ng, the team leader, and Dr Maung Thway, 34, and Dr Jose Recatala Gomez, 31, both of whom are research fellows at NTU.

Students can ask the chatbot to generate example computer code as a guide when they are working on assignments.

They were even allowed unlimited use of Leodar during their continuous assessment in February.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة March 11, 2024 من The Straits Times.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة March 11, 2024 من The Straits Times.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من THE STRAITS TIMES مشاهدة الكل
Artist and model Ella Emhoff under the political spotlight
The Straits Times

Artist and model Ella Emhoff under the political spotlight

The stepchild of United States, Vice-President Kamala Harris has been getting more scrutiny after 2021's Inauguration Day

time-read
4 mins  |
November 01, 2024
DOUGLASS' HALLOWEEN TREAT
The Straits Times

DOUGLASS' HALLOWEEN TREAT

She breaks pact over 'trick' headbands, then breaks 200m breast world mark

time-read
3 mins  |
November 01, 2024
Van Nistelrooy vows to help United in any role
The Straits Times

Van Nistelrooy vows to help United in any role

LONDON - Manchester United caretaker manager Ruud van Nistelrooy said he will help the club \"in any capacity\" as reports suggest that Ruben Amorim is getting closer to being named as Erik ten Hag's successor.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 01, 2024
I cannot please everyone: Klopp on new job
The Straits Times

I cannot please everyone: Klopp on new job

BERLIN - Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has defended his decision to join Red Bull as head of global soccer from 2025 following criticism from fans in Germany, saying the project was \"outstanding\" for him.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 01, 2024
Reds aim to take form into Brighton rematch
The Straits Times

Reds aim to take form into Brighton rematch

LONDON - Forward Cody Gakpo scored a brace, as Liverpool continued their fine form under Arne Slot, beating Brighton & Hove Albion 3-2 on Oct 30 to reach the League Cup quarter-finals.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 01, 2024
I'VE JUST 13 MEN LEFT, PEP BEMOANS
The Straits Times

I'VE JUST 13 MEN LEFT, PEP BEMOANS

Akanji doesn't start, Savinho leaves in tears as City's woes mount after League Cup loss

time-read
3 mins  |
November 01, 2024
Forest owner accused of fixing a Greek game
The Straits Times

Forest owner accused of fixing a Greek game

LONDON - Evangelos Marinakis, a Greek shipping magnate and owner of English Premier League football club Nottingham Forest, was on Oct 31 accused of trying to fix a Greek football match, in a London libel lawsuit he is bringing over an alleged smear campaign in Britain.

time-read
1 min  |
November 01, 2024
MEDVEDEV STUCK IN A RUT AFTER PARIS LOSS
The Straits Times

MEDVEDEV STUCK IN A RUT AFTER PARIS LOSS

Russian loses third straight opener in Bercy as Popyrin prevails; still without a 2024 title

time-read
3 mins  |
November 01, 2024
Girma double helps US women extend run to 13
The Straits Times

Girma double helps US women extend run to 13

LOUISVILLE - The United States women's football team extended their unbeaten run under English coach Emma Hayes to 13 matches after a 3-0 win over Argentina in a friendly on Oct 30.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 01, 2024
The Straits Times

MotoGP riders want Valencia race moved

Leading MotoGP riders on Oct 31 called for the season finale in a fortnight to be moved out of Valencia because of deadly once-in-a-generation flooding in Spain.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 01, 2024