Kai - Embodied AI in Mixed Reality

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Kai - Embodied AI in Mixed Reality

Kai is an innovative project that brings artificial intelligence to life through an embodied avatar in a mixed reality environment, specifically designed to promote active learning and shared regulation between humans and AI. By integrating advanced AI technologies with mixed reality platforms, Kai provides users with an interactive and immersive experience, encouraging learners to actively engage with educational content. It facilitates collaboration between the learner and the AI tutor, enabling them to explore topics of interest and regulate their learning processes together. 

Kai Demo at Rails Aead Metaverse Event Oulu

Kai, our innovative embodied AI in mixed reality for promoting active learning, will be showcased at The Rails Ahead – Metaverse event on October 3rd, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Oulu Theater.

Join us for an immersive experience where you can interact with Kai firsthand and witness how advanced AI technologies integrate seamlessly with mixed reality platforms. This demonstration will highlight Kai's capabilities in promoting active learning and human-AI shared regulation, offering a glimpse into the future of education and human-AI collaboration.

Details about the event can be found here: https://oulu.com/ictoulu/the-rails-ahead-metaverse-event-3-10-in-oulu/ 

Pilot Study

We have recently conducted a pilot study aimed at evaluating and refining Kai, our embodied AI agent designed to promote active learning within mixed reality environments. This study was carried out at the LEAF research infrastructure at the University of Oulu.

The pilot involved higher education students enrolled in postgraduate and doctoral programs, who interacted with Kai across various learning scenarios. Their participation provided us with invaluable feedback on Kai's functionality, user experience, and educational impact.

The findings from this pilot study are expected to not only guide the further design and development of Kai but also shed new light on learning processes involving generative embodied AI in mixed reality settings. By analyzing how users engage with Kai, we hope to gain deeper insights into human-AI shared regulation and collaboration in educational contexts.

This research marks a significant step forward in our mission to transform learning experiences through innovative educational technology. We look forward to sharing more detailed results and updates as we continue to develop Kai to better serve learners and educators alike.

Project Core Members

Faaiz Gul

Faaiz Gul is an experienced creative leader with over 12 years of experience managing and guiding diverse teams. He specializes in developing interactive learning content, strategic communication, and brand management. Faaiz has successfully led large-scale creative projects in various industries, such as consulting, information technology, and eLearning for global clients. Currently, he is pursuing a Master's degree in Learning, Education, and Technology at the University of Oulu. His research is focused on the design and development of Generative Embodied AI in Mixed Reality environments. Faaiz is passionate about using innovative technologies to improve learning experiences and enhance workforce upskilling through AI-driven solutions. 

Belle Dang

Belle Dang is a researcher at the Learning & Educational Technology Research Unit (LET) at the University of Oulu, where she focuses on the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and education. Her work investigates how AI can enhance learning environments, particularly through understanding and supporting how learners regulate their own learning processes. Her business background has shaped her interest in conducting research that not only advances theoretical understanding but also has practical applications with real-world impact.


ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-8734-6697. 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/belle-dang-402252b0/


Dr. Luna Huynh

Dr. Luna Huynh is a postdoctoral researcher at the Learning and Educational Technology Research Lab - University of Oulu. She holds a PhD in Applied Linguistics, specializing in cognitive psycholinguistics and second language acquisition within multimodal learning environments. Luna has extensive experience in teaching and conducting research across diverse contexts, including Vietnam, Taiwan, Australia, and Finland. Luna conducts research on the cognitive and affective aspects of multimedia learning.  

Dr. Andy Nguyen

Dr. Andy Nguyen is an Assistant Professor working at the Learning and Educational Technology (LET) Research Lab, Faculty of Education and Psychology and the leader of LET-X research team within the lab.  He is also an Adjunct Professor in Applied Artificial Intelligence at the Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering (ITEE) at the same university. Beyond his academic research, he also brings industry experience as a business analyst and ICT consultant in New Zealand (2014-2018). He is currently a co-chair of the Advances in Teaching and Learning Technologies minitrack at Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences (HICSS), an Associate Editor of ICIS2024 “Digital Learning and IS Curricula” track, an Editorial Board Member of British Journal of Educational Technology and an Associate Editor of the journal of Policy Futures in Education.