  We have developed an AI-powered socio-technical system for making online
learning in higher education more accessible, affordable and achievable. In
particular, we have developed four novel and intertwined AI technologies: (1)
VERA, a virtual experimentation research assistant for supporting inquiry-based
learning of scientific knowledge, (2) Jill Watson Q&A, a virtual teaching
assistant for answering questions based on educational documents including the
VERA user reference guide, (3) Jill Watson SA, a virtual social agent that
promotes online interactions, and (4) Agent Smith, that helps generate a Jill
Watson Q&A agent for new documents such as class syllabi. The results are
positive: (i) VERA enhances ecological knowledge and is freely available
online; (ii) Jill Watson Q&A has been used by >4,000 students in >12 online
classes and saved teachers >500 hours of work; (iii) Jill Q&A and Jill Watson
SA promote learner engagement, interaction, and community; and (iv). Agent
Smith helps generate Jill Watson Q&A for a new syllabus within ~25 hours. Put
together, these innovative technologies help make online learning
simultaneously more accessible (by making materials available online),
affordable (by saving teacher time), and achievable (by providing learning
assistance and fostering student engagement).
