ʻThanks dawg’: How University of Hawaiʻi’s AI chatbots are transforming student support

University of Hawaiʻi reached a major milestone in its student success strategy with the impactful introduction of proactive AI chatbots at all 10 of its campuses statewide.

The chatbots, with names such as ‘Bow and Moa, are designed to be one of the many components that constitute a “common standard care” for University of Hawai’i students systemwide.

They are demonstrating high participation, with a 94% opt-in rate and earning gratitude from the people who matter most: the students.

University of Hawaiʻi students are embracing their digital “buddies” with enthusiasm, according to the EdSights fall 2025 report.

They shared heartfelt messages such as, “Thank you so much for your support throughout the semester,” and “I appreciate your help!” More informal student texts included, “Thanks dawg” and “Thanks king.”

Students throughout the state sent a total of 72,089 texts between Aug. 1 and Dec. 10, 2025, to their respective campus chatbots, such as University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo’s Lehua and Kauaʻi Community College’s Koa.

Engagement was particularly strong at Honolulu Community College (Niu) and University of Hawaiʻi-West Oʻahu (Pueo), where student engagement rates reached 62% and 61%, respectively.

“Our AI chatbots have become more than just digital tools for academic success; they are a 24/7 support system that ensures no student at the University of Hawaiʻi feels alone,” said University of Hawai‘i President Wendy Hensel in a release about the chatbots. “By providing immediate answers and identifying those who need a human touch, we are meeting students exactly where they are—on their phones — and ensuring their path to graduation is clearer than ever before.”

The chatbots have proven to be an efficient resource for students and staff.

The AI tool answered 4,294 student questions without any human intervention, saving staff approximately 357 hours.

When students require deeper support, the system acts as a bridge: the bots facilitated 5,554 automatic connections to University of Hawaiʻi resources and flagged 2,533 students for direct staff follow-up.

The bots also initiate conversations at key points to gauge well-being.

They identified 1,905 students this fall feeling nervous or overwhelmed, flagged 251 learners struggling with a sense of belonging and assisted 389 students who reported they were not enjoying their classes.

The success of the rollout follows University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa’s receipt of a Community Connector Award at the 2025 EdSights PERSIST Summit, honoring the university’s leadership in using student voice data to foster innovation.

University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa students accounted for almost 30% of the student texts sent systemwide, with 21,388 texts sent during the fall to ‘Bow.