Prep School Appoints AI Chatbot, Abigail Bailey To Share Duties

Cottesmore School, a prestigious institution located in West Sussex, has taken a unique step by appointing an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot as an integral part of its leadership team.

The chatbot, named Abigail Bailey, is designed to work in tandem with human headmaster Tom Rogerson, sharing responsibilities and assisting in various aspects of school management.

The AI chatbot, Abigail Bailey, operates similarly to models like ChatGPT, leveraging extensive data to provide human-like responses. The development of this AI assistant involved collaboration with an AI developer, enabling it to offer a wealth of knowledge in machine learning and education management, as reported in The Telegraph.

Headmaster Tom Rogerson explained that the chatbot’s role encompasses a wide range of scenarios, from contributing to the formulation of school policies to providing support for neurodiverse students. This innovative approach aims to enhance the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the school’s administrative and educational functions.

Cottesmore School, which accommodates mixed boarding and day pupils aged 4 to 13, is known for its exclusivity, with annual fees reaching up to £32,000 for UK students. The addition of Abigail Bailey represents the school’s commitment to utilizing advanced technology to improve educational outcomes.

While AI chatbots like Abigail Bailey have gained popularity, Mr. Rogerson emphasized that they are meant to complement human decision-making, not replace it entirely. He stressed that the presence of a highly trained AI assistant can be reassuring and provide a valuable resource for making informed decisions.

The rise of AI chatbots in various fields has raised concerns about their potential impact on employment and societal inequality. However, Mr. Rogerson is open to sharing this technology with state schools, making the publicly available AI model accessible to a wider audience.

This initiative to incorporate Abigail Bailey into the school’s leadership structure follows a previous announcement in which the institution advertised for a head of AI, a position also awarded to a chatbot named Jamie Rainer. Jamie Rainer serves as a highly trained adviser on generative AI, assisting the school in AI strategy and planning.

Cottesmore School has demonstrated its commitment to embracing artificial intelligence, having recently hosted a free AI festival in September. The festival was designed to provide valuable insights and guidance to educators on navigating the world of generative artificial intelligence.