AI-based teaching assistant (smart tutor)

This research focuses on developing SMART TUTOR, an AI-based teaching assistant powered by the Gemini language model, designed to support college students by offering personalized learning assistance in both casual Malay and English, complete with emoji integration. This study is important as many students face language barriers and difficulty understanding formal terms in traditional educational materials, hindering effective learning. Current AI systems lack cultural and linguistic adaptability, especially in bilingual or informal communication settings. The research aims to address this gap by developing a chatbot web application that uses a Restful API to provide real-time, conversational learning support. Through user-centered design with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and by analyzing interactions between students and the AI assistant, the study demonstrates how casual language and emojis can improve engagement and understanding. SMART TUTOR also holds strong commercial potential, particularly for higher institutions, where the majority of students prefer learning tools that align with local language and culture. By providing a flexible AI solution that can be added to education systems, SMART TUTOR meets the rising need for personalized digital learning. Key findings suggest that students benefit from a relaxed, approachable AI interface, which enhances their learning experience. This research contributes to educational technology by offering an accessible, culturally relevant, and engaging AI solution for overcoming language barriers in learning.