Chatbot for schools: Bremen makes the start

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Artificial intelligence in education – sounds like a hot topic. At first glance, the insatiable hunger for data of the major LLM providers for training material in particular stands in the way of the use of the major, well-known models in schools. However, a dedicated AI chatbot called “Telli” is now set to make it happen. Bremen is the first federal state in Germany to introduce this, as announced by the Senator for Children and Education. It will later be used in schools across the country.

The chatbot is part of the cross-state project “Adaptive Intelligent System” (AIS) and is intended to provide teachers and pupils with secure access to generative AI. Telli differs from commercial AI services in its approach to data protection. The system works exclusively with pseudonymized user data and is hosted entirely within the European Union, according to the responsible authorities. This means that no personal data is transferred to US or other companies in the AI sector. The data entered will also not be used to train the underlying models.

Pupils should learn how to use AI

“We want to prepare pupils for a future in which dealing with artificial intelligence will be a matter of course,” explains Sascha Aulepp, Bremen's Senator for Children and Education. “To do this, they need guidance, expertise – and spaces in which they can try out AI responsibly.” The chatbot will be available at all public schools in the state in the future.

In technical terms, Telli is based on an open-source architecture that has been under development since November 2024. The platform acts as an intermediate layer between various large language models (LLMs), including models from OpenAI and Meta, and the end users. Teachers can upload their documents to receive context-specific answers and create didactic learning scenarios that can be shared with students via QR code or link.

For preparation and in the classroom

Telli was specially developed for use in the classroom. Teachers can use the AI chatbot both for lesson preparation and in the lessons themselves. They also have the option of sharing Telli with their pupils.

The connection to the school identity management system VIDIS (Networking Infrastructure Digital Identities for Schools) enables seamless integration into the schools' existing IT infrastructure. Users can log in without additional registration.

The Telli project is embedded in the larger AIS project, which is coordinated by the FWU (Institute for Film and Image in Science and Education). All 16 federal states are involved in the project.

Comprehensive learning environment planned

In the future, the AIS system will provide a comprehensive digital learning environment that goes far beyond the chatbot. Adaptive learning materials, an intelligent recommendation system and tutoring functions are planned to support pupils individually and relieve teachers. The system will also be able to integrate commercial educational media providers – A “marketplace” for licensed content is planned.

The technical implementation considers the different requirements of the federal states. Configuration options should enable the federal states to use their own or self-procured LLMs. School authorities and federal states can view the code and adapt it if necessary. Among other things, this should reduce dependency on individual providers.

(mki)