Chennai researchers released the “World’s First Autonomous AI University Professor,” equipped with an in-depth understanding of Anna University’s entire engineering syllabus. This AI professor can simplify complex topics to a level comprehensible to a 10-year-old, having absorbed all recommended reading materials.
Named “Malar,” this autonomous agent teaches college students their courses through WhatsApp, setting it apart from other companies. This decision was influenced by insights from interviews with 100 students, revealing the cost-effectiveness of data usage over mobile space. Leveraging WhatsApp enables students to access Malar’s services more freely.
Operating with awareness of its operational costs, particularly AI server expenses, Malar offers a free service, answering up to 20 daily questions per user. Beyond this limit, it encourages users to pay via UPI for access to additional features like mock interviews and assessments.
Arjun Reddy, from Malar’s development team and Co-Founder of an AI Startup Studio, emphasized their India-centric approach. They chose WhatsApp to tap into an existing ecosystem, eliminating the need for users to download another app. Plans for assessments, code examples, and native apps across multiple platforms are underway.
