Today's Article

"There was people posting on the Snapchat story saying like, 'Is this real? Are other people getting this? Is it a 1scam?' I still honestly don't even know." 

The messages are from an AI chatbot the university is calling Phlash, the name of the school's mascot. 

"I think people think the AI bot is the answer. It's actually not. It's the way that we 2open the doors to the University resources." 

The 3goal is to help students with everything they need 4academically, 5emotionally or perhaps something much more simple. 

"So questions about 'what's for dinner in the 6cafeteria tonight?' to 'I'm bored, what's going on tonight?' which will connect them to our events on campus to 'I need help with a class.'"

In the first 24 hours, students sent the service more than 2,000 messages. In the first month, more than 7,000 messages. And the number that really has university officials excited is just 4% of students have 7opted out of the service, which 8exceeds the 9expectation that was 10set.

"What we're finding in the early weeks of its usage is that students who haven't 11reached out to anyone on campus to ask a question are reaching out to Phlash." 

And if Phlash doesn't have the answer, or perhaps someone needs help with something that would be better 12suited for a human, Phlash will help 13make that connection. 

"I haven't asked any questions, but if it can give you help, give you resources like that for your mental health, I think that would be very 14useful."