Transforming and Customising Student Learning Through GenAI Agents

As generative AI (genAI) tools become more integrated into higher education, this cross-faculty collaboration puts the student experience at the heart of a digital transformation. In this project, custom genAI course agents using Cogniti developed by the University of Sydney, were trialled across several undergraduate arts, science and engineering courses in 2025. The aim was to better understand how students use AI course bots for active learning and inquiry, and if they enhance or hamper critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Through anonymous surveys and student focus groups, we captured insights on students’ self-management, persistence, help-seeking behaviour, and self-regulation in learning. Evidence from the higher education literature suggests overreliance and metacognitive offloading when students learn with genAI. In contrast, we found that tailored course AI agents can serve as powerful support systems for students to develop digital literacy and evaluative judgement in readiness for employment and lifelong learning.

More detailed findings on the undergraduate student experience with custom genAI course agents, and their impact on core analytical skills and study habits, are available on the TeachWell Cogniti Gen-AI Student Experiences and Recommendations Page.

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