We’ve come a long way since blackboards and paper books were the best technology for teaching. Today, tools such as interactive whiteboards and online learning management systems are radically changing how the modern classroom looks, steadily going beyond just supplementing the traditional learning tools we’ve relied upon for so long.
edYOU is a tool that promises to usher the newest advancements in tech into the learning experience. Headed by founder Dr. Michael Everest, who previously launched Residents Medical and The Everest Family Foundation, edYOU is tasked with harnessing AI’s power to supercharge education and provide better outcomes for more students.
“I firmly believe that the future of AI in education is twofold. Firstly, it can serve as a valuable assistant to teachers and educators, providing support and enhancing the learning experience,” explains Dr. Everest. “Secondly, it should be properly filtered to ensure factual accuracy and align with the approved curriculum.”
Even though not explicitly designed for assisting teachers alone, a tool such as edYOU has tremendous potential for helping teachers with their work. Because of its use of several technologies that allow it to interact deeply with its users, edYOU can create an engaging learning environment available to students whenever needed.
It was during the pandemic that Dr. Everest saw just how important it is to have resources to provide that level of support. Without them, student outcomes become unfavorable, with a clear distinction being made between the schools that could go the extra mile and those that weren’t.
“Private schools with the resources to implement online learning quickly had their teachers available 24/7, providing a smoother transition,” Dr. Everest recalls. “However, this wasn’t the case for many public schools, leaving students without proper academic support for months. This became the turning point for creating a study buddy accessible 24/7.”
The study buddy Dr. Everest refers to is Hannah, one of edYOU’s conversational AI beings — computer metahuman avatars that look like people and rely on conversational AI to provide a human-like interaction for the learner.
Other technologies under the hood let the platform organize, present, and test knowledge, such as the Intelligent Curation Engine and the Proprietary Ingestion Engine. Together, they result in a tool that can do something that few tools have been able to do before. This technology is so revolutionary that it has already been granted one patent in less than a year, and five more patents are pending on a fast track.
“Imagine right before an important test when the pressure is mounting, being able to have a conversation with Hannah, who understands your concerns and provides a calming presence,” Dr. Everest suggests. “It’s like having a study buddy or a mentor right there with you, offering reassurance and guidance.” In that same light, imagine being nervous about a test the next morning, going on to edYOU’s Test Prep section and doing test questions where Hannah helps you with the preparation.
One of the main reasons why having an avatar like Hannah, Nova, or Eddie serves as a learning instructor is because it provides a more engaging way to learn than traditional reading. Recent research suggests that such mixed-media, interactive learning might offer better outcomes than, for example, learning through PowerPoint presentations, a way to simplify and facilitate the ingestion of information.
It turns out that people, or people-like technologies, are great for creating an environment that facilitates learning. With edYOU, students can get that kind of support outside the classroom, and the teachers can get vital support inside it. Just as important, the data informatics gathered helps the educator evaluate the students’ progress in real time.
“Instead of repeatedly delivering the same lessons, our technology offers augmentation, assisting teachers in reaching more students effectively,” says Dr. Everest. “Teacher burnout is a real concern, and our platform aims to alleviate some of the pressures they face by providing additional tools and support.”
One of Dr. Everest’s primary concerns was creating a neutral and academically sound space for learning with edYOU. AI is known to have issues with making up facts, and it’s been known to occasionally get tricked into producing all sorts of unsavory content. For edYOU, the priority was creating an environment as safe as any classroom should be.
“In academia, it is crucial to avoid any political biases and keep the focus on providing accurate and reliable information,” Dr. Everest says. “The platform aims to simplify and organize the learning process, making it efficient and effective for all users. Ultimately, the intention is to create a supportive and secure environment for education, where everyone can thrive.”
Dr. Everest’s efforts in creating a study buddy with edYOU can help not only teachers and students but also the students that might need help the most – students with disabilities or students from marginalized groups. The type of experience this platform creates can be invaluable to people who don’t thrive in the traditional classroom but still need the human touch when learning from home.
“Hannah, our AI being, provides a comforting and accepting presence, free from any biases or prejudices,” Dr. Everest concludes. “She won’t judge you based on your appearance or perceived shortcomings. Instead, she offers polite and constructive feedback, guiding you through your learning journey without pressure or negative criticism.”
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