UAB has launched a student success chatbot designed to help get students quick answers to their questions, to help save them time and keep them on track.

Blazebot is available in the myUAB portal and in the UAB app. The chatbot was built in partnership with UAB IT and the Office of the Provost and is powered by Microsoft Azure.

“We want students to use Blazebot to get quick answers, at any time of day,” said Janet Woodruff-Borden, Ph.D., senior vice president and provost. “Blazebot is one of the tools we will use to help empower student success as we embark on a strategic roadmap to grow enrollment and improve student retention.”

Blazebot mines information only from UAB web sites and trusted data sources, but because it is an AI tool, users should be careful to review the answers they receive.

“AI is a powerful solution, and we believe expanding our use of these tools — in a judicious manner — will continue to help UAB achieve its goals,” said Curtis A. Carver Jr., Ph.D., vice president and chief information officer.

To learn more about best practices for using a chatbot, view this video.